Belmont routs Kennesaw State 98-52 in A-Sun opener

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — J.J. Mann scored 17 points and Brandon Baker added 16 as Belmont routed Kennesaw State 98-52 on Thursday night in the Atlantic Sun Conference opener for both teams.

The Bruins (4-2) are undefeated in their league home openers and have won four straight games.

Belmont held the Owls (2-4) scoreless for the first 4:20 en route to an 11-0 lead.

The Bruins were 15 of 39 from beyond the arc, hitting 10 3-pointers in the first half.

Belmont also had 30 assists — one shy of the program record set at Gardner-Webb on Jan. 9, 2003.

The Bruins led 48-31 at halftime and stretched the lead to 62-36 four minutes into the second half.

Belmont outshot Kennesaw State from the field 54.4 percent (37 of 68) to 40 percent (20 of 50) and had a 43-25 rebounding advantage with just four turnovers.

Markeith Cummings led the Owls with 21 points.