Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The Bellarmine Knights picked up a crucial 66-60 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory on Thursday night by downing the visiting Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers in Knights Hall.

Bellarmine (12-4, 2-3 GLVC) trailed only once during the game, a 19 second span at the end of the first half, but had to fend off a furious rally from their visitors from Somers, Wisc to earn the W. The Knights led by as many as 17 in the second half, but the Rangers cut the lead to three in the closing moments before the home team prevailed.

Head Coach Chancellor Dugan was more than pleased with her team's effort on both ends of the court in the winning effort. “We were really focused on the defensive end and forced them into some pretty tough shots. Offensively, I thought we moved the ball around and found open looks. This is a really good win against a great team.”

Dugan's squad registered 15 assists on 25 made field goals all while holding Wisconsin-Parkside, who ranked third in the conference in field goal percentage at 44.6%, into a 33.9% shooting performance.

After dropping two conference games last weekend on the road, the Knights came out firing on all cylinders while building a 15-6 lead early in the game, forcing UWP coach Jenny Knight-Kenesie into calling a timeout.

The timeout was effective thought as Parkside climbed back into the game, eventually taking the lead on a jumper by Sierra West with 48 seconds remaining in the half. But the Knights quickly took back the lead as Kylie Brady and Betsy Goodin hit back-to-back baskets down the stretch to send Bellarmine into the break with a 30-28 lead. The two point cushion was thanks in part to shooting 54.2% from the field in the opening period.

Five minutes into the second stanza Dugan's squad turned a 7 point lead into 17 by going on a 13-3 lead over a 6 minute span. The Rangers, who earlier in the season were ranked as high as 16th in the country, against battled back, drawing within 63-60 with one minute remaining. But the Knights hit shots down the stretch and came up with some defensive stops to earn their 12th victory of the year, one shy of last season's total.

Echoing Dugan's thoughts, Assistant Coach Crystal Kelly pointed out that Bellarmine made the necessary plays down the stretch to pick up the win, “We had to find a way to win, which is something that all good teams do. The girls refused to give in and that's something we have been preaching in practice every day.”

Senior forward/center Allison Osen came off the bench to score a team-high 12 points while pulling down 5 boards. Therese Montano (11) and Betsy Goodin (10) were the only other Knights to reach double-figures. 

Morgan Clemons also added 8 points and 7 rebounds, hitting 4 of 5 free throws. Clemons, a 47.6% free throw show shooter heading into the game, knocked down a pair from the charity stripe in the middle of UWP's comeback, which Dugan cited as crucial points.

“Those two were big,” said Dugan. “She shot those with confidence and hopefully this performance for her and this team will carry this team going forward.”

The Knights return to the hardwood on Saturday by hosting Lewis for a 1:00 tip in Knights Hall. The game can be heard live on WFIA 94.7-FM with video streaming available on BUKnights.com.

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