Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The No. 2 Bellarmine Knights shook off a sluggish start and used a blistering second half to dispatch the visiting Panthers of Virginia Union 86-64 tonight in the first round of the Holiday Inn Southwest Classic in Knights Hall.
Coming into the game, the Knights were the best shooting team in the nation--according to the NCAA statistical rankings--but after the first 20 minutes, Bellarmine found themselves trailing 31-30 after making just 11 of 32 their field goals.
After the break, however, the Knights fired on all cylinders, amping up their team defense which fueled lights-out shooting. In the second half, Bellarmine shot a sizzling 81.5 percent which included a nearly unbelievable 22-of-22 shooting inside the arc.
"We played defense as a team in the second half," said Bellarmine Coach
Scott Davenport. "Our defense created our offense in the second half. They (Virginia Union) controlled the tempo in the first half, that's why it was 31-30 at halftime. This was a good night for us. This is a tough team to play. They're very athletic and have a great tradition in their program."
Sophomore forward
George Suggs led all scorers with 17 points, which set a new career high for the St. Louis native. In all, five Knights hit double figure scoring with
Keisten Jones (14),
Vance Hall (13),
Jake Thelen (12) and
Josh Derksen (11) joining Suggs in double figures.
Virginia Union was paced by Ken Pankey, who came off the bench to tally 14 points, and Avery Jirmnson, who posted 13.
Bellarmine controlled the glass with a 40-29 rebounding advantage fueled by great gang rebounding. Seven different Knights had four or more rebounds led by Jones and Thelen with six apiece.
The Knights also exhibited the great passing that has become their hallmark with 24 assists credited on their 33 baskets.
The 22-point margin was the biggest the Panthers have suffered this season, in which Virginia Union is just 1-6. Conversely, the Knights improved to a perfect 6-0 on the season.
Bellarmine faces Ohio Valley tomorrow in Day 2 action of the Holiday Inn Southwest Classic. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., which follows Virginia Union versus Southern Indiana.
BOX SCORE (HTM)
