LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Bellarmine University men's basketball team finally got to play a home game in their eighth game of the season and proved why there's no place like home as they dismantled the Ohio Valley Fighting Scots 87-48 in the opening round of the Fern Valley Hotel Classic tonight in Knights Hall.

The Knights (5-3) broke out of the gates in impressive fashion, scoring the the first 13 points of the game in just three and a half minutes.  Ohio Valley (1-6) struggled the entire opening period as Bellarmine opened up a 40-point lead at 40-8 with 1:40 to go in the half.

Bellarmine placed four players in double figures, led by Justin Benedetti , who scored 18 points in just 19 minutes of action.  Joining Benedetti in double figures were Chris Dowe , 13; Nick Holmes , 12; and Braydon Hobbs , 11.

Bellarmine Head Coach Scott Davenport said in his post game radio show that he was happy with the team, but for him the highlight of the night was Steve Pogue draining a three-pointer at the 5:27 mark of the first half.  The senior from Cincinnati was playing in his first game in nearly a year after battling back from a foot injury.

The Knights dominated in nearly every facet of the game, including a 51-32 rebounding edge and outshooting OVU 47.9 percent to 35 percent.  Bellarmine also outscored the Scots 39-6 from beyond the arc.

Both teams move on to second round action in the Fern Valley Hotel Classic tomorrow.  Ohio Valley will get another stern test as they face No. 20 Southern Indiana at 5 p.m. in Knights Hall.  Bellarmine will face Indiana University Southeast at 7:30 p.m.

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