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Bruins plow Peay by 39

The Belmont men’s basketball team’s 26-point win against Lipscomb Friday apparently wasn’t large enough for them.

In the latter end of a home-and-home series, the Bruins defeated the Austin Peay Governors 94-55 at the Curb Event Center Monday night.

Scott Saunders led all scorers with 18 points, and was one of eleven players with points on the night for the Bruins.

The Bruins’ success during the last two games, while part of a good stretch for the team, is more than just good timing, said head coach Rick Byrd.

“You play well when you’re focused and when you’re playing with purpose. I thought we did that from the opening tip tonight,” Byrd said.

The Bruins’ made 53 percent of their shots on the night, and scored 10 three-pointers in all. Belmont also forced 21 Governor turnovers on the night and scored 33 points off of them.

Those turnovers were a major factor in the Bruins’ defensive game, which Saunders said was what provided much of the team’s balance Monday night.

“It was just defensive intensity. It’s been a focus of ours ever since the Upstate game,” he said Some of the turnovers might have been forced, but the defensive pressure we put on them all night can wear them down.”

Belmont opened the game on a 20-4 run and never looked back. After the game’s first ten minutes, the Bruins already forced seven of their 21 turnovers and had six players score. By the end of the first half, Belmont led the Governors 46-25.

The win is the Bruins’ second in a row of 25 points or more and fourth of the season with a margin of victory of 39 points or more.

Aside from Saunders, Drew Hanlen, Mick Hedgepeth, and Blake Jenkins also had 13, 13, and 12 points respectively for Belmont.

Josh Terry led Austin Peay in scoring with 13 points on the night.

The Bruins improved their record to 18-7 with the win. Their next game is on the road against Florida Gulf Coast Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

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