THURSDAY'S SCORES
Belmont 74, Drake 69 (Kissimmee, Fla.)
BELMONT 74, DRAKE 69
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Behind a career-high 31 points from Nick Muszynski, Belmont University men's basketball defeated [rv/rv] Drake, 74-69, Thanksgiving night in the first round of the ESPN Events Invitational from HP Field House.
Muszynski went 12-of-17 from the field and added nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
His 19 first-half points powered Belmont to a 40-33 halftime lead.
But Drake, which started last season 18-0 and returns five senior starters from an NCAA Tournament team receiving national Top 25 poll votes, took a 55-54 lead with 10:39 left on a Garrett Sturtz basket - the Bulldogs' first lead since 6-4.
A Ben Sheppard basket and a 3-pointer from Luke Smith gave Belmont a 61-59 lead with 6:32 remaining.
After Sturtz put Drake back on top with 4:58 to go, Belmont held the Bulldogs scoreless for the next four minutes.
A Smith drive, a Will Richard 3-pointer and a Muszynski putback basket highlighted the 10-0 run to give Belmont a 71-62 lead with 58 seconds remaining.
Though Drake got as close as 72-69, Sheppard's free throws with six seconds remaining provided the final margin.
In addition to Muszynski's career night, Sheppard had 17 while Richard had 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.
Tremell Murphy led Drake (3-1) with 18 points.
Belmont (4-2) advances to the semifinal round of the ESPN Events Invitational where it will play Iona.