Belmont Bruins Cruise Past Bradley Braves in MVC Matchup

Belmont's stifling defense too much for Bradley's offense in road victory

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Belmont Bruins, led by their dominant defense, defeated the Bradley Braves 88-78 in a Missouri Valley Conference matchup. Belmont's top-ranked field goal defense held Bradley's guard-heavy attack in check, while the Bruins' balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Braves to handle.

Why it matters

This victory solidifies Belmont's position atop the MVC standings and showcases their ability to win on the road against a conference opponent. Bradley's loss at home highlights their offensive limitations against elite defensive teams like Belmont.

The details

Belmont's adjusted defensive rating of 98.6 (34th nationally) was the key factor, as they held Bradley to just 44.4% shooting from the field and 34.6% from three-point range. The Bruins' disciplined defense forced the Braves into tough shots throughout the game. On the offensive end, Belmont's balanced attack, led by Tyler Lundblade's 15.8 points per game and Sam Orme's 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds, proved too much for Bradley to handle.

  • Belmont defeated Bradley 88-78 in their first meeting of the season on February 9, 2026.

The players

Belmont Bruins

An NCAA Division I basketball team that competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. Belmont is known for its stifling defense and balanced offensive attack.

Bradley Braves

An NCAA Division I basketball team that competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. Bradley has a guard-heavy lineup led by Jaquan Johnson, who averages 18.2 points per game.

Jaquan Johnson

A senior guard for the Bradley Braves, averaging 18.2 points per game and leading the team's offensive efforts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew coming into this game that Belmont's defense was going to be a challenge for us. They did a great job of taking away our looks and making it tough for us to score.”

— Jaquan Johnson, Senior Guard, Bradley Braves (Bradley Athletics)

What’s next

The two teams will meet again on February 28, 2026 in Nashville, where Belmont will look to complete the season sweep of Bradley and further solidify their position atop the MVC standings.

The takeaway

Belmont's stifling defense and balanced offensive attack proved too much for Bradley to handle in this MVC matchup. The Bruins' ability to win on the road against a conference opponent showcases their potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, while Bradley's loss at home highlights the need for the Braves to improve their offensive efficiency against elite defensive teams.