LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The Bellarmine University women's basketball team out lasted the Glenville State College Pioneers, 102-93 on Saturday night to win the 2011 United Electric Tip-Off Classic in Knights Hall.
Glenville State and Coach Bunky Harkleroad are known for their breakneck pace of play, putting constant pressure on their opponents while subbing in five new players every two or three minutes, and feature an offense that led the country in points per game last season.
“That style of play is so unique, you are really not sure how a team is going to react to it,” said Coach David Smith. “Combine that with the fact we only had one 45-minute walkthrough to prepare for it, and this was a really, really good win for us.”
The Pioneers raced out to an 11-3 lead in the games' first five minute, three times subbing a completely new lineup. After the initial shock, Bellarmine settled down took their first lead at the at the 10:17 mark after a layup by
Kylie Brady.
Getting to the line 20 times in the first half, Bellamrine hung in the game, trailing 59-53 going into the break. Coming out of the locker room, senior
Allison Matheis nailed three consecutive three-pointers to give the Knights a 64-61 lead. Energized, Bellarmine continued to build upon the lead, stretching it out 73-66 with 14:27 remaining, forcing Harkleroad to call a timeout.
Never laying off the pressure, the Pioneers jumped back into the game, taking a 89-88 lead with five minutes remaining on a Tenisha Wilson layup. On Bellarmine's next possession,
Betsy Goodin helped the Knights regain a lead they would not relinquish, as she knocked down to free throws after being fouled while driving to the hoop.
Bellarmie would hit their free throws down the stretch, and never allowed Glenville State an easy shot, to come away with the championship victory. After the game Mishae Miles and Wilson were named to the all-tournament team along with Matheis,
Darion Hutchinson, and
Kylie Brady, who took home MVP honors.
“People just don't understand what it means to have a player like
Kylie Brady back on our team,” said Smith. “We lacked leadership last season, and she's a player that just refuses to let us lose a game. She was only cleared ten days ago, but she really showed some courage tonight.”
Smith was most pleased by the fact that the victory came from the entire team, “I could go down the line and every girl that got in contributed in some way, Darion and Allie Osen did a phenomenal job on the board. Therese,
Betsy Goodin,
Morgan Clemons, and
Kelsey Lamb all did little thing to help us win.”
Bellarmine dominated Glenville State on the boards, owning 57-37 advantage led by Osen's game high 12. Brady led six Knights in double-figures with her 21 points, to go along with nine boards of her own.
Bellarmine returns to action on Tuesday night when they host Midwest-foe Central State in Knights Hall for a 7:00 p.m. contest.
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