LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Led by their All-American backcourt duo of Braydon Hobbs and Jeremy Kendle, the No. 1 Bellarmine University men's basketball team began defense of their national title with an 85-71 victory over the Cardinals of Saginaw Valley State University this afternoon in Knights Hall.

Kendle tied a career high with 31 points and Hobbs pitched in 18 as the Knights raced out to an 18-point halftime lead and held off the Cardinals in the second half to post the 14-point victory.

“It was the tale of two halves,” said Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport. “We played very well in the first half, but your defense will dictate how you play,” he said. “(Saginaw Valley)  shot 46 percent in the second half and had seven offensive rebounds, so we were playing more against their half-court defense. Our effort was outstanding in the first half and not so good in the second. The numbers don't lie.”

After Saginaw Valley scored the first bucket of the game, Bellarmine got out of the gates quickly as Kendle had the hot hand and scored seven of the Knights' first nine points as BU opened a 9-2 lead to start the game.

Although the Cardinals cut into the lead on several occasions, Bellarmine maintained a comfortable margin throughout the first half, leading by double digits from the 8:41 mark on. In the opening period, the Knights outshot their guests 56 percent to 36 percent and were plus-7 in rebounding.

After the break, the Knights extended their lead to 21 with 17:21 remaining. However, Saginaw Valley reeled off nine straight points over a span of less than two minutes to cut the lead to 52-40.

The Cardinals continued to trim the Bellarmine lead and got within six at the 11:26 mark, but Hobbs stepped up and scored the Knights' next 10 points as BU re-established a 14-point lead with 8:21 left in the contest.  From that point on, the Cardinals couldn't get any closer than 11 points.

Bellarmine, last year's national statistical leader in shooting, picked up where they left off, connecting on 54 percent of their shots on the day.  The Cardinals picked up both their shooting and rebounding in the second stanza as they hit 41 percent on the game and lost the battle of the boards by just one 36-35.

The Knights were led in rebounding by Richie Phares and Chris Dowe, who pulled down six apiece. Saginaw Valley's Jay Thames claimed 10 boards to lead the Cardinals while their three starting guards combined to score 63 of their 71 points. 

Prior to the game, Bellarmine honored the 2010-11 National Championship team with a ring ceremony.

The Knights now are on the road until Dec. 9 when they return to Knights Hall to host the Fern Valley Hotel Classic.  Bellarmine's next opponent will be Wayne State in Detroit, Mich., on Nov. 17.

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