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NASHVILLE – Belmont used an 18-3 run midway through the first half as the Bruins broke open a tie game to pull away for an 85-59 win over Eastern Illinois.
Trailing early Eastern Illinois closed the final 5:15 of the first half on a 9-2 run to tie the game at 36-36 at the half.
Cornell Johnston had a 3-pointer while
Trae Anderson hit a bucket and converted two free throws.
Craig Bradshaw had the hot hand in the first half for the Bruins knocking down 4-of-8 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes to score 12 of his 14 points in the first half.
Belmont's big second half run came with production from several different players as Evan Bradds scored inside the paint and at the free throw line. Bradds had 22 points going 12-of-14 from the free throw line.
A.J. Riley led EIU with 20 points. Anderson added 13. EIU held a 30-26 points in the paint advantage.
Taylor Barnette added 11 points for Belmont.
EIU fell to 4-12 overall, 1-3 in the OVC. The Panthers host Eastern Kentucky on Thursday night at 8 p.m. in Lantz Arena with the game televised on CBS Sports Net. Belmont improved to 11-6 overall, 3-0 in the OVC.