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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois held Belmont's two leading scorers to seven combined points but two other players had big nights as the Bruins picked up a road win over the Panthers on Wednesday night in Lantz Arena.  Belmont won 80-49.

Belmont improved to 21-6, 12-2 in the OVC.  EIU fell to 8-20, 5-10 in the OVC.  EIU plays at Northern Illinois on Saturday in the Ramada Worldwide Bracketbusters game.

EIU took the early lead on a free throw by Morris Woods and jumper by Malcolm Herron.  Belmont then took advantage of several EIU turnovers with Trevor Noack getting off to a hot start.  Noack made four early free throws and was 8-of-10 from the field to finish with 21 points. 

The Panthers had 11 first half turnovers which the Bruins converted into 16 first half points as they led 42-20.  Belmont shot 60 percent from the field in the first half and 53 percent for the game.

Sherman Blanford scored 12 of his team high 14 points for EIU in the first half as EIU shot 42 percent in the first half, cooling off to 32 percent for the game.  Freshman Alex Austin reached double figures of the fifth straight game with 10 points.

J.J. Mann had the hot hand for Belmont from 3-point range making 3-of-6 to score 21 points.  Blake Jenkins had 13 to round out Belmont's double figure scorers.  Ian Clark was held to six points making only 2-of-8 from 3-point range.  Clark entered the game second in the NCAA in 3-point shooting percentage.  Kerron Johnson had one point but passed out eight assists.

EIU finished with only four assists but did win the battle on the glass.  Herron pulled down a career high 10 rebounds.