LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The No. 2 Bellarmine University men's basketball team advanced to the finals of the NCAA Div. II Midwest Region by defeating Northern Kentucky University 87-82 tonight in Knights Hall.
The win was the third over the Norse (21-9) this season for the Knights, who are making their second appearance in the “Sweet 16” in the past three years.
Bellarmine got huge efforts tonight from
Chris Dowe, Justin Bendetti,
Luke Sprague and
Braydon Hobbs. Sprague supplied the early offense, scoring seven of the Knights' first nine points. Dowe took care of the late game scoring six of Bellarmine's last seven points.
In between, Hobbs and Benedetti seemingly did it all. Benedetti scored a game high 22 points on nine of 12 shooting and hauled in a game high six rebounds. Meanwhile, Hobbs turned in a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists.
“That was one unbelievable game, said Bellarmine Head Coach
Scott Davenport. “One team shot 60 percent and the other shot 53.7, that's just incredible” adding “and, it's not a game of horse out there—these guys are being guarded.”
Davenport said, “I think we won this game because of passing.” The Knights totaled 19 assists on 30 made baskets.
After a tightly contested first half, Bellarmine opened up an 18-point lead in the second period before the Norse caught fire from the outside and their dribble penetration started paying dividends. Northern whittled the Knights' lead down to two with just 57 seconds remaining. However, Bellarmine kept the Norse at bay with a Dowe layup and collected an important rebound after an NKU missed 3-pointer.
Jeremy Kendle was fouled and made one of two free throws to put Bellarmine ahead 87-82. Northern again missed a trey and Bellarmine rebounded and did a good job of playing keep away as time expired.
Bellarmine shot a torrid 72.7 percent in the second half and finished the game 30 of 50 from the field for an even 60 percent. The Norse were also hot in the second period, making 16 of 28 (7-14 pointers) for 57.1 percent and finished the game shooting at a 53.1 percent clip.
The Norse were led by Josh Tabb and Jon Van Hoose, who both totaled 21 on the night.
Bellarmine (29-2) now advances to face Ferris State (24-7) in the regional final on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Knights Hall. The Bulldogs squelched a ferocious comeback by Drury to win the Midwest's other semifinal 83-76.
