Belmont wins season opener, beats Illinois State 100-89
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Caleb Hollander scored 21 points, Dylan Windler added 20 and Belmont rolled in its season opener with a 100-89 victory over Illinois State on Saturday night.
Hollander, a 6-8 freshman forward from Nashville, was 8 of 15 from the floor with four 3-pointers. Windler, the preseason Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, was 7-of-13 shooting. Nick Muszynski added 18 points and Kevin McClain 14 for Belmont. Grayson Murphy had 13 points and 10 assists.
Phil Fayne scored 23 points for Illinois State (1-1). Zach Copeland made four 3s and finished with 14 points.
The game was tied 40-40 with six minutes left in the first half. The Bruins closed on a 22-6 run for a 62-46 halftime advantage and held a double-digit lead the rest of the way. Windler scored seven points and Hollander had five during the stretch.
Game Information
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |