LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The Bellarmine University women's basketball team opened its 2011-12 season with a come-from-behind 69-67 victory over McKendree University in the United Electric Tipoff Tournament tonight at Knights Hall.

The Knights got a big lift from Kylie Brady who poured in 26 points and had a team high six rebounds. The junior from Elizabethtown missed all of last season with a knee injury after being named All Great Lakes Valley Conference as a sophomore.

After Bellarmine (1-0) and McKendree (3-1) opened fairly even, the Bearcats starting hitting their 3-point shots and taking advantage of the Knights' miscues and started to pull away about five  minutes into the contest.  By halftime the McKendree lead had grown to 11 as the Knights committed 13 first half turnovers, and the Bearcats were four of nine from long range.

Bellarmine opened the second half with a good look at a 3-pointer, but Allison Matheis counldn't knock it down and McKendree answered with a deuce at the other end to give the Bearcats what would be their biggest lead of the night at 40-27.

The Knights started making their comeback in earnest at about the 10 minute mark when freshman Morgan Clemons came up with a steal and Brady nailed a trey on the ensuing possession. 

Bellarmine kept whittling away at the Bearcat lead and pulled ahead at the 4:14 mark on a pair of Brady free throws.  The Knights would go on to build a quick 7-point cushion over the next three minutes. 

The lead turned out to be crucial as the Knights missed five of six free throws in the final minute, but hung on for the 2-point victory.

Aside from the production of Brady, the only other Knight to reach double digits was Matheis with 10 points.  McKendree had three players reach double figures, led by Caty Ponce with 17 points.

The United Electric Tipoff tournament concludes tomorrow with McKendree taking on American International in the consolation game at 5 p.m. with the Knights meeting Glenville State in the final at 7 p.m.

BOX SCORE