INSTITUTE, W.V.--The Bellarmine University men's basketball team had a successful regular season opener by downing Salem International University 92-75 in the opening game of the John Dickinsheets Classic hosted by West Virginia State University.
The Knights, ranked No. 1 in the preseason by The Sporting News and Basketball Times, were paced by four players in double figures, led by
Braydon Hobbs with 23 points.
Oladapo Fagbenle ruled the glass for Bellarmine hauling in 11 rebounds.
"I was very pleased with our second half effort, particularly Oladapo and Nick (
Holmes )," said Bellarmine Head Coach
Scott Davenport, "but we're going to have to do a better job as a team rebounding. Statistics don't lie; Oladapo and Nick had 20 of our 40 rebounds tonight."
Bellarmine opened up a nine point lead about midway through the first half and appeared poised to run out to a big lead. However, the Tigers got hot from 3- point range, hitting 64 percent of their first half treys, while the Knights connected on only seven of 14 first half free throws to help Salem International close the gap to 43-39 at the intermission.
In the second period, the Knights increased the defensive pressure and went to the boards more aggressively to extend the lead to 19 before settling for the 17-point win. Bellarmine held their opponents to just two of 12 shooting from beyond the arc in the second half while outrebounding the Tigers 22-10 in the closing period.
Hobbs, who also led the team with six assists, was joined in double figures by Holmes (16),
Jeremy Kendle (11), and
Justin Benedetti (10). All 13 Knights who suited up for the game saw action.
Rio Berkley of Salem International (0-1) led all scorers with 26.
The Knights (1-0) are back in action tomorrow night when they face Hillsdale College to open the second day of the Dickensheets Classic. Hillsdale, which was picked to finish second in the GLIAC Conference behind defending national champion Findlay, played West Virginia State in their opener tonight. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. The WGTK-970 AM will broadcast the game.
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