LEXINGTON, Ky. --- The Bellarmine University women's basketball team ran into elite talent in their final tune up for the 2012-13 season, falling to the University of Kentucky Wildcats 113-33 in an exhibition contest at Memorial Coliseum.

“Kentucky is going to be very successful this season,” said new head coach Chancellor Dugan. “They played hard the entire game and that is what we as a program are building towards.”

The Wildcats, ranked in the top-ten in virtually every preseason poll, used their patented pressure to force the Knights into 46 turnovers.  Matthew Mitchell's squad led the nation in turnovers per game a season ago, forcing their opponents into 26.8 miscues per contest.

Bellarmine was able to withstand the pressure at the outset, trailing 11-8 at the first media timeout, but Kentucky used their superior depth to wear down the Knights.

After being outrebounded by Indiana State in their first exhibition game, Bellarmine made headway on the glass with UK holding a 39-32 rebounding advantage. “It was something that we worked on since Friday and it was good to see them respond,” with Dugan adding that UK's size and length cannot be simulated in practice.

Lauren Jones led the Knights in scoring with nine points on 3-5 shooting from the field and 2-2 from the line. But Dugan felt that the box score doesn't show how well her backcourt played in the face of extreme amounts of pressure. “I think our guards played tough all game. Kylee Hamilton, Therese Montano, and Rachel Greenwell all competed and that's not something that shows up in a statline.”

Six Wildcats scored in double-figures led by Samarie Walker's 19 points on 9-9 shooting from the field.

The Knights will now turn their attention towards the season opener on Friday night when they host Kentucky State in the United Electric Tip-Off Classic. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Knights Hall. 

BOX SCORE