Rick Byrd wins 800th career game; Belmont beats E. Illinois
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rick Byrd won his 800th career game as Belmont rolled past Eastern Illinois 99-58 on Thursday night.
Byrd joined Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, Syracuse's Jim Boeheim, North Carolina's Roy Williams, West Virginia's Bob Huggins and Coastal Carolina's Cliff Ellis as active Division I coaches with 800 career victories.
Dylan Windler had 22 points as Belmont won its 10th consecutive game. Nick Muszynski had 18 points and three assists for Belmont (22-4, 13-2 Ohio Valley Conference). Kevin McClain added 12 points. Grayson Murphy had 10 points and eight assists for the hosts.
Belmont posted a season-high 18 3-pointers.
Rade Kukobat had 11 points for the Panthers (14-14, 7-8). Mack Smith added 10 points.
Josiah Wallace, whose 15 points per game heading into the matchup led the Panthers, had 7 points (3 of 12).
Belmont takes on Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at home on Saturday. Eastern Illinois plays Tennessee State on the road on Saturday.
