Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Belmont University men's basketball team used a hot shooting night to take down Eastern Kentucky University, 98-63, on Thursday night at McBrayer Arena.
 
Belmont (18-6, 10-1 OVC) started the game on an 11-2 run and never looked back, going 10-of-15 from behind the arc in the first half.
 
EKU cut the lead to five, 26-21, with 9:06 left in the first half after a 10-2 run of its own. The run was sparked by a couple of threes by senior Dillon Avare and freshman JacQuess Hobbs. It was capped off by a pair of free throws by senior Zach Charles. The Colonels never get closer than that.
 
The Bruins used a 29-8 run to end the first half and pushed their lead to 55-29 at intermission.  
 
Junior Nick Mayo led the way for the Colonels with 15 points and six rebounds. Avare pitched in 12 points, going 4-for-7 from behind the three-point line.  
 
Belmont was led by Amanze Egekeze, who had a game-high 30 points and nine rebounds. Austin Luke finished with 11 points with 10 assists.
 
Belmont shot 62 percent from the field and 50 percent (13-for-26) from the three-point line, compared to Eastern Kentucky's 43 percent from the field.
 
EKU (8-16, 2-9 OVC) returns to the court Saturday at home when the Colonels take on Tennessee State. The game is scheduled to tip at 7 p.m.