Rogers Sparks Victory for Men’s Basketball Against Southern Illinois

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – – Fueled by a career-best 17 points and nine rebounds from Brigham Rogers, Belmont University men’s basketball triumphed over Southern Illinois, 90-86, on Wednesday evening at the Curb Event Center.
 
Rogers directed an impressive performance as the Bruins were missing forwards Drew Scharnowski and Sam Orme.
 
3-pointers from Carter Whitt and Jonathan Pierre, complemented by two free throws from Rogers, provided Belmont with an early 8-2 advantage.
 
A Tyler Lundblade 3-pointer pushed the lead to 13-6 four minutes into the game.
 
After Southern Illinois narrowed the gap to 19-18, Rogers’ hustle plays and inside scoring ignited a Belmont surge.
 
Pierre netted consecutive 3-point shots as the lead swelled to 11, 35-24, with 4:48 remaining.
 
Southern Illinois struggled at times offensively in the first half, relying on defensive achievements and crucial offensive rebounds to remain competitive.
 
Two baskets from Brody Peebles and a driving one-handed layup by Whitt gave Belmont a 43-31 advantage at halftime.
 
Belmont shot 52 percent (16-for-31) from the floor in the first half — including 7-for-17 from beyond the arc.
 
The Bruins limited Southern Illinois to a shooting percentage of 32 while holding a plus-two rebounding edge.
 
Rogers was Belmont’s top scorer in the first half with 13 points.
 
However, just as Belmont began to assert control, the foes responded with effective plays to begin the second half.
 
A challenging catch and layup from Jarrett Hensley initiated scoring and sparked a remarkable stretch from Southern Illinois.
 
Aidan Noyes delivered a significant boost for Belmont with solid all-around play, contributing two baskets and multiple defensive deflections.
 
But a 27-foot 3-pointer from Kennard Davis leveled the score at 47 with 16:18 left.
 
A Lundblade 3-pointer restored Belmont’s lead before Ali Dibba capped an 8-0 stretch to grant Southern Illinois a 55-50 advantage.
Whitt and Noyes kept Belmont afloat during a portion of the game where both sides exchanged scores.
 
The Bruins also had to handle a few unexpected 3-pointers from Damien Mayo and Rolyns Aligbe as both teams showcased exceptional shooting.
 
After Belmont led throughout the first half, the second half would witness seven ties and 10 lead changes.
 
Two baskets from Pierre and a Rogers finish off a Whitt pass put Belmont ahead 71-69 with 7:27 remaining.
 
Another drive by Pierre and two free throws from Whitt extended the lead to six, 75-69, with 5:42 to go.
 
Noyes and Whitt both missed 3-point attempts that could have increased the margin to nine points before Southern Illinois responded.
 
Shots from Davis, Dibba, and Hensley narrowed the score to 77-76 with 2:39 left.
 
Fans were on their feet during much of the second half as every possession gained greater importance.
 
Pierre again executed with a determined drive to restore a three-point lead.
 
Sheridan Sharp missed a contested shot on Southern Illinois’ subsequent possession, but Hensley managed to tip in the rebound.
 
On Belmont’s following possession, Walker navigated into the lane and maneuvered past Southern Illinois’ defense to earn two free throws.
 
Hensley fouled out on the play with 1:34 remaining.
 
Walker converted both free throws to grant Belmont an 81-78 lead.
 
Dibba then nailed a deep, challenging 3-pointer at the shot clock’s end, leveling the game at 83 with 1:19 left.
 
Belmont then leaned on Pierre, who tipped in his own missed shot at the rim to put Belmont ahead 83-81 with 52 seconds on the clock.
 
Southern Illinois located Dibba for a curling drive and a traditional 3-point opportunity with 36 seconds remaining.
 
Dibba missed the free throw as the game remained tied at 83.
 
Whitt grabbed the rebound and moved into the frontcourt before Belmont called a timeout with 26 seconds left.
 
While many anticipated that Belmont would run down the clock on its next possession to secure a high-percentage shot, Belmont executed a quick play for a Lundblade 3-point attempt.
 
He was fouled while shooting with 20 seconds left and converted all three free throws.
 
With fouls to spare, Belmont halted one Southern Illinois possession prior to Davis missing a contested 3-pointer with 11 seconds left.
 
Whitt secured another strong rebound and was fouled with nine seconds remaining.
 
Whitt sank both free throws to extend the lead to five points.
 
Dibba completed his outstanding second half with an off-balance, leaning 3-pointer with two ticks left, closing the gap to 88-86 for Southern Illinois.
 
Walker followed with two free throws with fewer than two seconds left, sealing the final score.
 
In total, Belmont shot 53 percent (32-for-60) from the field — including 9-for-23 from 3-point range.
 
Belmont out-rebounded Southern Illinois, 37-28, and generated 17 second-chance points.
 
Pierre topped five Belmont athletes in double figures with 21 points and five rebounds.
 
Rogers contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Lundblade added 14.
 
Noyes finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals.
 
Whitthad 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists.
 
Dibba topped Southern Illinois (5-11, 0-5 MVC) with 33 points.
 
Belmont (11-5, 3-2 MVC) is set to resume competitive play Saturday against Indiana State.
 
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Belmont University men’s basketball has consistently been a postseason presence for the past twenty years, including nine entries to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have secured 20 conference titles since 2006 – the third highest in the nation during this period (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has achieved 20 or more victories in 14 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and Oregon) and has recorded 19 or more wins in 19 straight seasons (with Gonzaga, Kansas, and San Diego State). Belmont is one of the few programs with two or more first-round draft picks in the NBA Draft over the last five years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men’s basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 19 Academic All-America honors since 2001 and is the sole NCAA Division I program to achieve the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll annually since its inception. Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in the United States whose men’s and women’s basketball teams have each won 20 or more games for nine consecutive seasons.