NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In an exciting game on Wednesday night, Isaiah Walker led Belmont to a close victory over Illinois State, scoring 24 points as the Bruins triumphed 99-97 in overtime.

The thrilling contest saw Belmont’s Jonathan Pierre hit a critical jumper to equalize the score at 97 with just 21 seconds remaining on the clock. Shortly after, Carter Whitt created a turnover and capped off the game with a fadeaway jumper, securing the win for Belmont.

Walker displayed an impressive shooting performance, making 10 of his 12 shots, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, contributing significantly to the Bruins’ record, now standing at 7-2 overall and 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Pierre also shined, netting 19 points, grabbing nine rebounds, providing five assists, and making three steals. Additionally, Tyler Lundblade scored 15 points with five three-pointers, while Whitt added 10 points to the scoreboard.

For Illinois State, Caden Boser was the standout player, leading his team with 17 points. Chase Walker and Johnny Kinziger each contributed 16 points, with Kinziger also assisting five times. The Redbirds now hold a record of 4-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Belmont had established a 54-45 lead at halftime, with Brody Peebles contributing 14 points before the break. However, the Bruins saw a decline in performance in the second half, getting outscored by nine points, which led to a tie at 88-88 by the end of regulation. Pierre played a crucial role in overtime, scoring five points to help clinch the victory.