NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Even Brauns' 18 points helped Belmont defeat Illinois State 90-75 on Saturday night.

Brauns also had 12 rebounds for the Bruins (17-8, 10-4 Missouri Valley Conference). Ben Sheppard added 17 points while going 7 of 13 and 3 of 5 from the free throw line, and he also had three steals. Cade Tyson shot 5 for 8 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free throw line to finish with 16 points.

Darius Burford finished with 15 points and five assists for the Redbirds (10-15, 5-9). Illinois State also got 13 points and four assists from Malachi Poindexter. Jayden Johnson also had 13 points.