Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky scored the first points of the game, but couldn't withstand a three-point barrage by No. 24 Belmont in a 95-62 loss on Thursday in Nashville.

The Bruins (25-3, 15-0 OVC) hit 11 three-pointers in the first half of play.  Eleven of the team's first 17 field goals were from behind the arc.
 
Belmont's first 12 points of the game came on three traditional three-pointers and an old-fashioned three-point play.  The Bruins stretched their lead to 16-5 before the Colonels strung together a 6-2 run to get within five, 18-13, with 3:33 left in the first quarter.  However, Belmont hit three more three-pointers and led by eight at the first break.
 
The home team made four three-pointers during a 14-0 second quarter run that turned a nine-point game into a 23-point margin, 50-27.
 
Abby Wright led Eastern Kentucky (8-16, 5-10 OVC) with 22 points and nine rebounds.  A'Queen Hayes, who had hit four 3-pointers all season, made 3-of-5 from behind the arc today and finished with 15 points.  Shay Solomon hit an early jumper to stake the Colonels to a 2-0 lead and finished with 10 points.
 
The 24th ranked Bruins won their 16th straight game behind 26 points from Darby Maggard and 23 by Kylee Smith.  Maggard made 9-of-14 from the field, including 6-of-9 from deep.  Smith was 7-for-13 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.
 
The Colonels shot 37 percent from the field, finishing 22-of-59.  Belmont went 14-of-22 from three-point range (64 percent) and shot 50 percent from the field overall.
 
EKU's two game road trip to Music City continues at Tennessee State on Saturday.  The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET.