Box Score Video Recap

LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- Playing their final game in Knights Hall, the five members of the Bellarmine University women's basketball team powered the Knights to victory over McKendree University 71-69 on Thursday night.

The quintet made sure their final home game was a memorable one as Bellarmine trailed by as much as 14 in the first half before opening the second stanza with 14-4 run, eventually building a nine point lead of their own. But McKendree battled back to tie it at 69-69 with 5.5 seconds left on a second consecutive three-pointer by Caty Ponce, setting up a dramatic finish.

Inbounding in front of the McKendree bench, senior Betsy Goodin threw it in to Morgan Clemons who gave it right back to Goodin as the speedy guard raced down the court, nailing a jumper with 0:00.4 on the clock to seal the win. The game winner is the second of the season for Goodin after her putback with less than a second left sent the Knights to a 76-75 over Lake Superior State earlier in the year.

Goodin along with fellow seniors Kylie Brady, Rachel Greenwell, Lauren Jones, and Allison Osen were all honored before the game. The group did not disappoint in their last home game, scoring 44 of Bellarmine's 71 points on the night. The win marks the first time in the last three years that the Knights were able to win on Senior Day.

With the regular season over, Bellarmine will now turn their attention to the conference tournament as the Knights will go on the road Sunday to William Jewell for a first round game. Tip is scheduled for 3:00 EST.

Clemons scored the opening two points of the game before the visiting Bearcats ran of the next 13 to take the early advantage. The Knights connected on just one of their first 13 shots from the field as McKendree owned a 28-14 lead three minutes left.

The second half was a different story for Bellarmine as they came out of the break and hit their first five shots from the field to pull within 39-37. They finally went ahead when Goodin knocked down a pair of freebies with 11:10 left, never giving up the lead.

Ponce did all she could to get the Bearcats back in the game, scoring the Bearcats final eight points of the game. Meanwhile, Bellarmine played with veteran poise going 6-for-6 from the charity stripe to fend off the rally.

The 14-point deficit is the largest that the Knights have overcome to win a game this season, eclipsing the previous high of eight. 

Ponce finished with a game-high 22 points while Brittany Willis and Shelby Woelfel each had 18.

Brady led the Knights in scoring with 14 points while Goodin chipped in 10 off the bench. All nine players that saw action scored for Bellarmine, with eight having at least five points.

Statistically, the Knights edged the Bearcats in the rebounding column, 35-33, but BU pulled down 15 offensive boards that resulted in 13 second chance points.

Bellarmine has yet to face William Jewell this season as the Cardinals finish the regular season with a 17-9, 11-7. Audio, video and live stat links will be available on BUKnights.com.

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