Belmont Bruins @ Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
Egekeze has perfect night, Belmont wins OVC opener
CAPE BIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Amanze Egekeze had a perfect night shooting to total 21 points as Belmont scored 47 points in each half to roll over Southeast Missouri State 94-72 in the Ohio Valley Conference opener on Thursday night.
Egekeze did not miss from the floor or the free throw line as he drilled three treys, making seven field goal attempts and dropped in four from the line. Nick Hopkins also scored 21, making 7 of 11 from beyond the arc. Dylan Windler added 16 with nine rebounds and Kevin McClain chipped in 12 for Belmont (9-5) which has won four straight.
Belmont, which never trailed, took an early lead for a 47-36 halftime advantage.
The Bruins shot 60 percent (36-60) from the floor while holding Southeast Missouri State to 24-of-59 (41 percent) shooting. Belmont also drilled 14 of 28 from distance.
Ledarrius Brewer led the Redhawks (6-8) with 21, hitting 6 of 9 from distance. Denzel Mahoney added 19 points with eight rebounds.
Game Information
Cape Girardeau, MO
Referee:John St. Clair
Referee:Coy Gammon
Referee:Shane Staggs
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-4 | - | 26-6 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 3 | 21-13 |
| Illinois State | 12-8 | 4 | 23-13 |
| Murray State | 12-8 | 4 | 20-13 |
| UIC | 12-8 | 4 | 19-16 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-9 | 5 | 23-13 |
| Valparaiso | 11-9 | 5 | 18-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-10 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Drake | 6-14 | 10 | 14-20 |
| Indiana State | 4-16 | 12 | 11-21 |
| Evansville | 3-17 | 13 | 7-25 |
| Ohio Valley ConferenceOhio Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 15-5 | - | 23-10 |
| Morehead State | 15-5 | - | 20-13 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 14-6 | 1 | 20-13 |
| UT Martin | 13-7 | 2 | 22-11 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 12-8 | 3 | 19-13 |
| Lindenwood | 11-9 | 4 | 18-15 |
| Little Rock | 9-11 | 6 | 12-20 |
| Tennessee Tech | 8-12 | 7 | 13-18 |
| Eastern Illinois | 8-12 | 7 | 13-20 |
| Southern Indiana | 4-16 | 11 | 7-23 |
| Western Illinois | 1-19 | 14 | 5-26 |
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