NCAA Game Summary - Morehead State vs. Belmont

Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Led by 16 points from J.J. Mann, the top- seeded Belmont Bruins throttled the fourth-seeded Morehead State Eagles, 86-63, in an Ohio Valley Conference semifinal matchup at Municipal Auditorium.

For the Bruins (24-8), Blake Jenkins finished with 13 points, Craig Bradshaw, Nick Smith and Evan Bradds each chipped in with 11 points, and Reece Chamberlain dished out eight assists. Belmont will take on the winner of the Eastern Kentucky-Murray State contest in the OVC championship game on Saturday night.

Angelo Warner and Brent Arrington each scored 15 points to pace the Eagles (20-13).

Belmont connected on 45.8 percent of its field goals in the first half, including 5-of-11 from beyond the arc. With the game tied at 14-14 midway through the first, the Bruins used a 12-2 run to take a double-digit lead, and went into halftime holding a 35-25 advantage. The Bruins held the Eagles to 40.9 shooting from the field, including 2-of-7 from 3-point range, in the frame.

After the break, the Bruins put the game away by knocking down 59.3 percent of their shots from the field, including 6-of-13 from deep. Morehead State struggled from the floor, hitting on just 37.9 percent and missing all but one of its 10 3-point tries after halftime. The Eagles never challenged in the second half, as the Bruins pushed their lead to as many as 31 in the period to get the easy win and secure a spot in the conference title game.

The Bruins outscored the Eagles from 3-point distance, 33-9. Belmont had a slight edge on the glass, outrebounding Morehead State, 32-31.