TERRE HAUTE, Ind.--The Bellarmine University women's basketball team began its 2009-10 season with an exhibition game at NCAA Division I Indiana State today, dropping an 84-52 decision to the Sycamores.

The game was even for the first 10 minutes, but poor shooting plagued the Knights and ISU opened up an 11 point lead by half time.  In the second stanza, Bellarmine shot even worse as the host Sycamores ran out to a 32-point victory.

Bellarmine returns only three letter winners from last year's squad, and one of those players--senior Destiny Mattingly--had to sit out due to an injury. Bellarmine Head Coach David Smith, who is an alumnus of ISU, started a three guard, two forward lineup.  His backcourt consisted of sophomores Kylie Brady, Allison Matheis, and Melissa Fitz, a transfer from Upper Iowa.  Up front, Bellarmine started freshman Allison Osen and senior Brittany Edelen, a transfer from the University of Kentucky.

Edelen was the bright spot for the Knights hitting eight of 16 shots while leading all scorers with 18.  She also pulled down a team high six rebounds.

The Sycamores had 10 players hit the scoring column led by Brittany Schoen, who scored 17 on five of seven 3-point shooting and converting both of her field goal attempts.

For the game Bellarmine shot just 33 percent from the field, including an icy 13 percent (3-23) from beyond the arc.  Indiana State shot a solid 47 percent from the field and made 11 of 22 treys.

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