MITCHELL, S.D. -- Three Bruins scored in double-figures but it wasn't enough as the No. 24 Bellevue University men's basketball team was defeated by No. 21 Midland University, 78-72, on Saturday afternoon at the Beau Keeter Memorial Classic hosted by Dakota Wesleyan.
Bellevue dips back below .500 at 3-4 on the season while Midland continues their perfect start, improving to 5-0.
The Bruins kept things tight throughout most of the first half before they saw their largest lead of 36-31 come with 1:43 to play before intermission. The Warriors scored the final four points of the half but BU took a slender 36-35 lead into the locker room.
BJ Shelton led Bellevue with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Mike Cardenas and Jalen Hall supported the offensive effort with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Blake Wilder pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds for the Bruins who were edged, 28-24, on the glass.
Damon Overton scored a game-high 25 points for Midland while Alex Starkel contributed 18 and Diamontae McKinley added 13 points.
Bellevue turned the ball over 12 times leading to 11 points for the Warriors. Midland turned it over seven times which BU was able to convert into four points at the other end.
The game featured seven ties and nine lead changes. Midland's biggest lead came at _-_ with just 31 seconds remaining in the game.
The Bruins return home on Tuesday, Nov. 15 when they host Chadron State College at 7 p.m. at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.
