NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the highly anticipated matchup of the top two teams in the MVC preseason poll, it was the red-hot Redbirds (11-5, 5-1 MVC) making all the right moves. Thanks in part to stifling defense and resilient offense, ISU defeated Belmont (7-10, 3-3 MVC) by a final of 70-56 from the Curb Event Center Sunday.
The loss stands as Belmont's first conference home loss, making fellow newcomer Murray State, the last MVC team unblemished at home. Also, Sunday is the lone regular season meeting between the Bruins and Redbirds as the two will not meet again as part of the newly designed 20-game conference schedule.