LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- A layup with just one second remaining was the difference in a highly competitive game as the Bellarmine University women's basketball team fell 57-55 to the visiting Rockhurst University Hawks on Thursday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.

Bellarmine (6-5, 0-3 GLVC) fell victim to a cold shooting effort at the start of the game, missing eight consecutive shots after hitting their first to fall behind 9-2 early on. After the slow start, the Knights gradually drew closer and eventually went into halftime tied with the Hawks at 27-27.

The second half was a back and forth affair as neither team led by more than five points. Rockhurst looked to pull away late after a pair of free throws by MaKayla Grahn, but Bellarmine came right back to tie it up at 53 apiece with 1:49 remaining.

Junior guard Betsy Goodin gave the Knights a huge basket with 30 seconds left, converting a layup while getting fouled, but failed to sink the freebie to set up the final dramatics. After calling a timeout with 13 seconds to go, Rockhurst's Kara McFarland found a cutting Chrissy Sarcone in stride who sank the layup with one tick left on the clock. Kylie Brady threw up a desperation heave at the buzzer, but the Knights' prayers were not answered.

Brady led the Knights in scoring with 13 points to go along with four assists and three steals, while Goodin chipped in 12 off the bench. Freshman Darion Hutchinson had another strong performance on the glass, pulling down a career high 12 rebounds to go along with seven points.

Bellarmine returns to action on Saturday afternoon as they host William Jewell College for a 1:00 p.m. bout in Knights Hall.

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