LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Bellarmine Knights women's basketball team got their second win in as many days when they took down the University of Charleston Golden Eagles 86-77 in the final game of the United Electric/MetroMedical Solutions Tip-Off Classic. The Knights were led Lauren Jones's 26 points while Allison Matheis scored 19 points and pulled down 9 rebounds.

Bellarmine controlled the game from the tip off as Chelsea Hawkins hit a three pointer to open up a lead that they never relinquished. The Knights continued to roll as they hit three of their first three pointers to take an early 13-5 lead.

Coach Smith's team stayed hot throughout the first half as they shot 44.4% from the field, including 50% from long distance to take a 44-32 lead into intermission.

Smith praised his team's execution in the first half, “When we can penetrate and kick out to our three point shooters like we did tonight, we can be a really good team. After coming off a game like we had last night, to execute and have the conditioning that we showed, it is really encouraging.”

After struggling at the free throw line a night earlier, Bellarmine took advantage of Charleston's foul trouble as the Knights went 33-44 from the charity stripe including Jones who hit 11 of 12.

Points came in bunches for Smith and the Knights as they led by as many as 24 points during a second half that became very physical towards the end. Bellarmine was up for the challenge as they got good interior play from Jalissa Chatlos, who had 19 points and five rebounds, and Kirsten Delph, as she came off the bench to pull down seven boards of her own.

For the game Bellarmine shot 21-45 (46.7%) from the field and went 21-22 (52.4%) from the free throw line.

Beating a Charleston team that is ranked as high as No. 16 in D-II Bulletin Poll is an encouraging start for Coach Smith's young squad. “Charleston is a veteran, senior laden team and is one of the top teams in their conference. This is a good start for our team,” said Coach Smith.

Jones was named the MVP of the weekend as she racked up 49 points and 20 rebounds in two games, joining her on the All-Classic team were Matheis and Chatlos as well as Lindsey Kentner and Ali Tobias from Charleston.

The Knights return to action next Saturday when they take on St. Mary's University in the University of Southern Indiana Thanksgiving Classic in Evansville, Ind. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

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