Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In the MetroMedical Solutions Bellarmine Classic finale, the Bellarmine University women's basketball team put together an impressive offensive performance as they beat the visiting Trevecca Nazarene Trojans 77-67 on Saturday night at Knights Hall.
 
"I thought we did a really good job on the boards tonight," said head coach Chancellor Dugan. "I was very, very pleased."
 
Both senior guard Therese Montano and sophomore guard Mackenzie Martinez each dished seven assists in the game as part of Bellarmine's 20-assist night on 27 made field goals. The last time two Bellarmine players recorded seven assists in the same game was 12 years ago on Nov. 16, 2001 against Erskine College.
 
"Sharing the ball is something we have been working on all season," said Dugan. "We have to be able to pass the ball and to move."
 
Freshman guard Jessica Hardin led all scorers with a career-high 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field and 5-for-7 from the three point line. Hardin notched back-to-back career performances after scoring a career-best 15 points yesterday in Bellarmine's loss to Wayne State.
 
Bellarmine (4-4) used two strong first-half runs to go ahead of the Trojans and take a 36-24 lead to the locker room.
 
Early in the first period, Bellarmine was trailing 4-6 and used two free throws by senior forward Morgan Clemons to jump into a 12-3 run where the Knights went 4-for-5 from the field and sank all three of their free throws.
 
Another run began with 7:25 remaining in the period with Bellarmine leading by three, 20-17. Four minutes later, Bellarmine held a 33-20 lead after a 6-for-7 stretch and strong full-court pressure defense. The Knights' pesky defense wreaked havoc on the Trojans' offense. Bellarmine drew two offensive fouls, forced three turnovers, and Clemons converted a three-point play to pull ahead of the visitors.
 
Bellarmine shot 14-for-33 (42.2 percent) from the field in the first period and held Trevecca Nazarene to 10-for-33 (33.3 percent) for the half, and 0-for-8 from behind the arc.
 
Both teams lit up the scoreboard in the second half. Bellarmine improved on their shooting with a 13-for-28 (46.4 percent) mark in the period and 6-for-11 (54.5 percent) from three. The Knights also hit nine of their 10 free throws in the half.
 
Trevecca Nazarene (5-6) outscored Bellarmine in the second half 43-41 thanks to their own offensive efficiency. The Trojans shot 16-for-29 (55.2 percent) from the field, 4-for-7 from behind the arc, and 7-for-9 from the line.
 
However, Bellarmine made shots at critical junctures and prevented Trevecca from cutting the BU lead to below eight in the second half as the teams traded buckets.
 
Hardin drained three straight three-pointers from the 8:15 mark to the 5:38 mark in the second half and subsequently neutralized the Trojans offense that made three of their four shots in the same time period as the visitors attempted to mount a comeback.
 
Bellarmine finished the game with one of their best shooting performances of the season. The Knights shot 27-for-61 (44.3 percent) from the field and set season-best marks with their 8-for-18 (44.4 percent) shooting from three and 15-for-18 (83.3 percent) from the charity stripe.
 
Bellarmine topped the Trojans in rebounds, 39-32, including 12 offensive boards for the Knights.
 
In just her second game of the season after battling injuries, freshman forward Courtney Sandlin scored a career-high nine points on 4-for-5 (80 percent) shooting including a three pointer.
 
"I was really proud of [Sandlin]. She played really well tonight," said Dugan.
 
Junior forward Morgan Clemons had another solid night with 10 points and five boards and senior forward Kelsey Lamb scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds in her 17 minutes on the floor.
 
Martinez finished with four points, seven assists and just two turnovers, to go with two blocks and a steal. Montano scored nine points with seven assists and two turnovers.
 
In game three of the Classic, Wayne State beat Southern Indiana 82-74.
 
With her performances, Hardin was named to the All-Classic team. Joining her was Trevecca Nazarene junior forward Kaci Britt Bell, Southern Indiana senior guard Stephanie Carpenter, and Wayne State senior guard Destiny Lavita-Stephens and junior center Shareta Brown. Brown was awarded the Classic MVP after she averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, and six steals in her two contests.
 
Bellarmine will take a break for Christmas and will return to the court for their conference opener on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. The Knights will take on Great Lakes Valley Conference foe William Jewell in Liberty, Mo. at 6:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE (HTM)