Hedgepeth, Belmont crush Eastern Illinois 95-62 Eds: APNewsNow. Belmont 95, Eastern Illinois 62.

CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) Mick Hedgepeth hit 8 of 9 shots and scored 23 points to direct Belmont to a 95-62 victory over Eastern Illinois on Saturday night.

Keaton Belcher scored 15, and Jordan Campbell and Drew Hanlen had 11 apiece for the Bruins (3-2).

Tyler Laser led the Panthers (3-2) with 21 points, but no teammate had more than eight.

The Bruins held big advantages in shooting, 52.5 percent to 36.5 percent, and 3-point shooting, 43.8 percent (14 of 32) to 22.2 percent (2 of 9).

It got one-sided quickly. Jeremy Granger scored to give Eastern Illinois a 5-4 lead with 1:35 gone, but Hedgepeth's jumper 14 seconds later put the Bruins ahead to stay. They led 47-22 at halftime.

The gap hit 62-31 on Hanlen's basket with 14:45 to go and finally reached 40 points at 90-50 on Hedgepeth's layup with 5:33 left.

Eastern Illinois will visit Belmont on Dec. 19.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-28-09 2027CST | save this article / add to your favorites list