MONDAY'S SCORES
@Belmont 92, SIUE 69
BELMONT 92, SIUE 69
NASHVILLE - Behind a game-high 24 points from senior All-America candidate Evan Bradds, Belmont University men's basketball defeated SIU Edwardsville, 92-69, Monday night.
The Bruins shot 62 percent from the field - including 67 percent in the second half - and outscored the visiting Cougars, 50-28, in the paint.
Belmont methodically built a working margin, scoring 16 of the final 25 points of the first half to lead 43-29 at halftime.
Bradds scored five baskets in the first five minutes of the second half to push the lead to 57-40 with 14:48 left.
The Bruins led by as many as 26.
Belmont had five players in double figures for a second straight game.
Bradds had 24 points and seven rebounds. Nick Smith added 22. Taylor Barnette had 19 while Amanze Egekeze scored 12. Kevin McClain had 10.
Burak Eslik led SIUE (5-19, 0-10 OVC) with 18 points.
Belmont (16-4, 10-0) has won 12 straight games and 15 of its last 16.