Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- A cold shooting first half was too much for the Bellarmine University women's basketball team to overcome on Saturday night as the Knights fell 67-56 to Cedarville University in the championship game of the United Electric Tip-Off Classic in Knights Hall.

The Knights missed nine of their first 11 shots from the field and trailed by as many as 14 in the first half. On the other end, Cedarville came out sharp, stretching their lead to 23-11 on back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the period.

“We've got to come out with more intensity from the tip-off,” said Coach Chancellor Dugan. “As a team, we need to have a mentality that we're going full throttle right from the get go.”

At the break, Dugan and assistant coach Shannon Litton challenged their team to take the fight to Cedarville. The Knights responded out of the half, chipping away at the lead, eventually drawing within five on a layup by senior Kylie Brady with 12:55 to play.

The two teams continued to battle it out, with both squads trading baskets in the game's final ten minutes as Bellarmine was able to cut the lead on one twice, but could never overtake the lead. Cedarville took care of business down the stretch by hitting their free throws, converting 15 of 19 trips to the charity stripe in the last 1:30, to secure the victory.

The loss is the first for Bellarmine in the Tip-Off Classic, running their record to 5-1 in the three year event.

Dugan commented that her squad can learn from the Yellowjackets. “You've got to give credit to Cedarville, they're a tough team and played a great game. They were never rattled down the stretch and it's something we are working towards.”

Forward Lauren Jones came off the bench to lead the Knights with 12 points with Rachel Greenwell adding in 10 points to make the all-tournament team.

Cedarville's Kayla Jenerette took home MVP honors of the tournament, pouring in 25 points in Friday night's game with Kayla Linkous also earning all-tournament team honors. Jasmine Davis of Kentucky State and Sarah Deshone of Ferris State, won the consolation game 62-58, joined them with all-tournament honors.

Dguan will have plenty of time to help her team grow as the Knights will not return to the hardwood for another two weeks, traveling to Evansville, Ind. on Nov. 24-25 to participate in the USI Thanksgiving Classic where they will take on Lake Superior State and Notre Dame College.

BOX SCORE