NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Sunday, Carter Whitt led Belmont to a 70-60 victory over Murray State with an impressive performance, scoring 18 points.
Apart from his scoring, Whitt also contributed significantly with six rebounds and seven assists, helping the Bruins secure their 21st win of the season with a record of 21-10, including a 13-7 tally in the Missouri Valley Conference. Adding to Belmont’s success, Tyler Lundblade was efficient from the field, hitting 5 of 9 shots, including 3 of 7 from beyond the arc, and showing perfect accuracy from the free-throw line with 5 of 5, culminating in his own 18-point game. Jonathan Pierre was another standout, falling just short of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. His shooting performance included 6 of 14 from the field, 2 for 4 from distance, and making all three attempts from the charity stripe.
The Racers, who concluded the regular season at 15-16 and a 9-11 mark in the conference, saw Nick Ellington lead their efforts with 19 points and two blocks. Jacobi Wood also contributed, tallying 12 points and matching Whitt with seven assists, while AJ Ferguson chipped in with nine points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
From the early moments of the game, Belmont asserted themselves, grabbing the lead with 16:42 left in the first half and refusing to relinquish it. Pierre spearheaded the team’s offense in the opening half with 15 points, propelling the Bruins to a commanding 41-22 edge by halftime. A decisive 7-0 run in the second half further solidified their advantage, establishing a 10-point margin at 66-56 with just over four minutes remaining, allowing Belmont to cruise to victory.
With the regular season concluded, Belmont secured a fourth-place finish in the MVC, while Murray State settled for seventh. The upcoming conference tournament in St. Louis will see Murray State play on Thursday, while Belmont will take the court on Friday.
