BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University men's basketball team defeated Cardinal Stritch University, 68-54, behind a season-best 15 three-pointers on Friday afternoon at the Chick-fil-A Classic.
Bellevue evens their record at 2-2 on the year while Stritch falls to 0-2.
Vinny Belcaster scored all of his team-high 17 points in the first half. He and Martis Johnson (12 points) led the three-point barrage, draining three apiece. Paulo Araujo joined in double figures with 11 points.
Justin Motley paced Bellevue with six rebounds and three blocked shots while Eric Pierce dished out five assists and grabbed five steals.
The 15 treys was the most by a BU team since hitting for 17 in an 83-79 win over Waldorf last December.
Nakyel Shelton scored 21 of his game high 28 points in the first half to keep the Wolves close. The lone CSU player in double figures, Shelton also collected nine boards and four steals.
The Bruin defense continued its strong start to the season, limiting the Wolves to just 20 second-half points and a frustrating 2-of-17 effort from three. Bellevue also forced 17 turnovers.
After Stritch pulled to within two points, 48-46, on an Isaac Hill basket with 12:23 remaining, Bellevue limited the Wolves to just eight points the rest of the way, closing the game on a 20-8 scoring run.
BU is back in action tomorrow with a 7 p.m. tip-off against Peru State College (1-2) to close out the Chick-fil-A Classic.
