LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- Behind a balanced effort, the Bellarmine University women's basketball team overwhelmed the visiting Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles on Thursday night, winning 78-70 in a Great Lakes Valley Conference rivalry game.

The win stretches Bellarmine's (9-9, 3-7 GLVC) win streak to three games, as Southern Indiana (7-11, 1-9 GLVC) drops their drops their eighth game in their last 10 outings.

It took just nine seconds for Kylie Brady to put Bellarmine on the board, nailing a three from the top of the key. The Knights would jump out to an early 13-5 lead, eventually stretching their lead to 10 in the first half.

Battling all night, USI came all the back, eventually knotting the game at 36-36 with 32 ticks remaining in the half. But with time winding down, Brady would bank home another three, her 16th point of the opening half, from 30 feet out as the horn sounded.

The Knights would go ahead for good on a layup by Darion Hutchinson early in the second half, as the home team would clamp down defensively on a USI roster that features nine new players. Bellarmine pilfered 13 steals on the night, including a career-high five by Therese Montano, forcing USI into 19 turnovers total.

Brady would lead all scorers in the game, finishing with 18 points, as Montano poured in 17 of her own, while senior Allison Matheis chipped in 12. Forward Darion Hutchinson registered her first career double-double going for 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Along with Hutchinson's strong performance, Bellarmine received eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks from Allison Osen, as the frontcourt outplayed the USI's youthful post players. The Screaming Eagles's starting post of Brooke Valentine and Mary O'Keefe, both freshman, combined for 14 points and seven rebounds. Kristin Raker led Southern Indiana with 14 points, who benefited from 24 points from their bench.

The loss snaps Bellarmine's four game losing streak to their rivals from down the river in Evansville, Ind. Only Brady and Matheis were members of the team that last beat USI, a 77-58 victory on Jan. 10, 2009.

The Knights hit the road next time out, traveling to Owensboro, Ky. on Saturday to take on Kentucky Wesleyan, tip is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EST.

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