NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jack Smiley had 24 points in Belmont’s 72-54 victory against Southern Indiana on Monday in both teams' season openers.

Smiley went 10 of 18 from the field (2 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Bruins. Jabez Jenkins scored 10 points, shooting 3 of 4 from the field and 4 for 5 from the line.

Kaden Brown led the way for the Screaming Eagles with 12 points and six rebounds. Southern Indiana also got 11 points and three steals from Josiah Dunham.

Belmont took the lead for good with 19:44 left in the first half. The score was 27-14 at halftime, with Sage racking up six points. Belmont pulled away with a 7-0 run in the second half to extend an eight-point lead to 15 points. They outscored Southern Indiana by five points in the final half, as Smiley led the way with a team-high 19 second-half points.

Up next

Belmont has a matchup Thursday with Centre at home, while Southern Indiana hosts Saint Mary-Woods on Wednesday.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.