LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Destiny Mattingly kept her nerves in check and knocked down a free throw with 2.8 seconds left in the game to give Bellarmine University a 63-62 win over the Lewis Flyers tonight in a Great Lakes Valley Conference women's basketball game at Knights Hall.
For Bellarmine (9-3, 3-1 GLVC), the victory was a gutsy effort after starting point guard Kylie Brady left the game with an injury less than four minutes into the contest, and they lost leading scorer Brittany Edelen to fouls late in the game.
The Knights found themselves down by eight points at the 12 minute mark in the first half, but were able to cut that lead to four by halftime as the Flyers took a 34-30 lead into the locker room. Bellarmine kept it close by making 12 of 24 field goals in the first half, including four of eight from behind the three-point arc. Melissa Fitz hit three of four three pointers in the first half with Allison Matheis connecting with one of her own.
In the second half, the Knights were able to overtake the Flyers six minutes into the period after Fitz connected on her fifth 3-pointer of the game. From that point on the game was very close with neither team holding more than a 4-point advantage.
Lewis held a slim 3-point lead with 1:28 remaining. Fitz cut the lead to two as she hit one of two free throws at the 1:07 mark. Allison Osen then came up with a big steal and Mattingly converted a short jumper with 34 seconds remaining to tie the game.
On the ensuing possession Lewis missed a shot and the rebound resulted in a held ball with Bellarmine getting possession with just eight seconds remaining. On the inbounds play, Mattingly drove the length of the court and drew the foul on her layup attempt.
After Mattingly missed the first free throw, Lewis called time out. Mattingly, however, was not rattled and returned to line and converted the second. The Flyers managed to get off a desperation three, but the shot was off the mark and Bellarmine claimed the hard-fought victory.
Mattingly, who averaged 5.6 minutes a game heading into tonight's game, logged 32 minutes and produced 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. Fitz reached a new season high with her 15 points. Other Knights in double-digits included Brittany Edelen with 11 and Allison Matheis with 10 total points. Jalissa Chatlos, who entered the game leading the conference in rebounding, hauled in nine boards to lead the Knights in that category.
Bellarmine recorded 12 points from the charity stripe while shooting 70.6 percent on the game.
The Flyers, who fell to 6-7, 2-2 GLVC, were led by Devon Carbaugh with 17 points. She tallied seven points from the charity stripe while going four of six from the field.
The Knights are back in action on Thursday Jan. 7 as they will face Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. Tip is set for 6 p.m.
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