NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- - Nic McClain and Tyler Lundblade both scored 17 points to help Belmont hold off UIC 87-84 on Saturday in a Missouri Valley Conference opener.

McClain also had seven assists for the Bruins (10-1, 1-0). Lundblade shot 5 for 11 from 3-point range. Sam Orme shot 6 of 10 from the field, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 4 from the line to finish with 16 points.

Josiah Hammons led the Flames (4-6, 0-1) with a career-high 31 points off the bench. Andy Johnson added 17 points and five assists, while Rashund Washington Jr . scored 11.

McClain scored 13 points in the first half and Belmont went into halftime trailing 43-30. Lundblade made two free throws with eight seconds to go, and Hammons missed a 3-pointer on the game's final shot to help the

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