SPORTS

Belmont's Rick Byrd gets 700th win

Mike Organ
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

Coach Rick Byrd got his 700th career win Saturday night when Belmont held off Austin Peay 89-83 at Dunn Center.

Byrd is now 700-363 in his 34-year career.

Byrd joined Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, Bob Huggins, Roy Williams, Bo Ryan and Rick Pitino as active Division I coaches with 700 career victories.

"The best part about it for me was seeing our players and fans and my family was there and how they were excited for me and all of that," Byrd said. "That's by far was the best part."

Byrd is in his 29th season at Belmont, where his record is now 608-308.

The Bruins (11-7, 3-2 OVC) had lost their previous two games, falling to Eastern Illinois 84-73 and Murray State 92-77. It had marked the first time in five years Belmont had dropped consecutive league games.

"I hadn't thought about (the 700th win) much," he said. "I was way more worried that we weren't playing very good. We needed this."

Belmont pulled in front 70-55 midway through the second half.

Austin Peay (6-11, 1-2) rallied late and cut the deficit to 82-77.

But the Governors made just one of their next six shots.

Evan Bradds went 8-of-8 on field goals and 6-of-7 from the line to lead Belmont with 22 points.

"You don't do much better than 22 points off of eight field-goal attempts," Byrd said. "He's playing really consistent. He's one of those guys that sort of knows where to be and gets behind the defense. Guards find him and he's so quick at finishing. He doesn't make a lot of long-range shots, but he's just really, really efficient."

Former CPA standout Craig Bradshaw added 20 points for the Bruins.

Chris Horten led Austin Peay with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

The loss was the Governors' fourth in their last five games.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

BELMONT 89, AUSTIN PEAY 83

BELMONT (11-7) Barnette 5-13 0-3 14, Chamberlain 2-3 3-4 7, Bradshaw 9-16 0-1 20, Egekeze 1-2 0-0 2, Bradds 8-8 6-7 22, Luke 1-1 1-2 4, Smith 0-1 0-0 0, Mobley 0-1 0-0 0, Turner 0-2 0-0 0, Mercer 2-3 0-0 4, Hadden 5-6 1-1 13, Laidig 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 34-57 11-18 89.

AUSTIN PEAY (6-12) Robinson 6-17 0-0 14, Horton 8-12 7-8 23, Davis 4-10 4-5 14, Purvis 0-2 0-0 0, Dyson 4-9 3-5 11, Williams 3-7 0-0 7, Ivory 0-2 0-0 0, Freeman 3-4 1-2 7, Smith 3-5 1-1 7. Totals 31-68 16-21 83.

Halftime—Belmont 38-37. 3-Point Goals—Belmont 10-22 (Barnette 4-9, Hadden 2-2, Bradshaw 2-5, Laidig 1-1, Luke 1-1, Turner 0-1, Egekeze 0-1, Smith 0-1, Mobley 0-1), Austin Peay 5-19 (Davis 2-4, Robinson 2-7, Williams 1-2, Ivory 0-2, Purvis 0-2, Dyson 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Belmont 31 (Chamberlain 8), Austin Peay 36 (Horton 12). Assists—Belmont 17 (Chamberlain 8), Austin Peay 14 (Davis, Smith 4). Total Fouls—Belmont 19, Austin Peay 21.