NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Evan Bradds scored 23 points with 10 rebounds and Belmont beat Murray State 81-73 on Thursday night for its fifth-straight victory.

Bradds made 9 of 12 field goals. Mack Mercer scored 13 points, Taylor Barnette added 12 points and Craig Bradshaw 11 for the Bruins (12-6, 4-0 Ohio Valley).

Bryce Jones had 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead Murray State (8-9, 2-2). Gee McGhee had 17 points.

Brion Sanchious's tip-in gave the Racers their last lead, 53-45 with 16 minutes left. Mercer answered with a 3-pointer, sparking a 27-6 run and the Bruins led 72-59 with 4:43 to play. Bradshaw scored seven points, Dylan Windler added five and the Racers went nearly eight minutes without scoring, and made just shot 3 of 11 shots during the stretch.

Jones scored six straight points to pull the Racers to 72-65. Bradds chipped in six points and Barnette had three points to seal it.