EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Allison Matheis tied a career high with 22 points and collected a season-high nine rebounds as the Bellarmine University women's basketball team rallied to win its third straight game on Thursday night, 75-68, over the University of Southern Indiana at the Physical Activities Center.
“This is an example of our team's growth,” Bellarmine Head Coach David Smith said following the game. “Our defensive intensity picked up in the second half, and we were able to stop them knowing that we can score the ball.”
Kylie Brady's free throws with 16.6 seconds left gave Bellarmine a 73-68 lead, icing the game for the visiting Knights. Brady concluded the night with 17 points, including a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe.
Therese Montano's layup on a drive down the right side of the lane gave BU a 53-52 advantage with 10:29 to play. Bellarmine would not trail the remainder of the game. Montano played all 40 minutes, scoring 14 points and grabbing five rebounds.
Down 50-37 with 15:17 left in the game, the Knights embarked on a 24-5 run following the fourth personal foul on Southern Indiana's Anna Hackert. Hackert was disqualified after her fifth foul with 3:00 left in the game, finishing with 13 points.
Montano got the Knights off on the right foot with a three-point basket to open the scoring 14 seconds into the contest. The margin was the largest BU lead of the game, matched when Betsy Goodin connected on a free throw with 16:46 left in the period.
The Screaming Eagles responded by using their size advantage, forcing the ball into the post and drawing free throws. USI built a six-point cushion at 24-18 with under 10 minutes to play in the half after an Ariel Barnes layup.
For the game, the Knights outrebounded the Screaming Eagles 44-40, including a 33-25 advantage on the defensive glass.
“We gave up too many offensive rebounds tonight, but we were able to get the boards on the other end to get the job done,” Smith said.
Allison Osen's layup with 1:59 remaining in the first half cut the USI lead to two points, but the Screaming Eagles responded with a 5-0 run to take a 40-33 halftime advantage.
Bellarmine returns to Knights Hall on Saturday for the final regular season home game against Kentucky Wesleyan. The Knights defeated the Panthers 85-81 on Jan. 28 in Owensboro. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
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