Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On the heels of a solid performance against tenth-ranked Drury, including a 51-point second half, the Bellarmine University women's basketball team picked up where they left off as they hammered the visiting Missouri S&T Lady Miners 85-65 at Knights Hall on Saturday afternoon. Four players put up double figures in the Knights' win.

Sophomore forward Sarah Galvin had a team-high 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting and junior forward Morgan Clemons poured in 16. Senior guard Therese Montano scored 11 with six assists and freshman guard Jessica Hardin had 13, including three triples.

"Obviously, I'm very happy with the win," said head coach Chancellor Dugan. "After such a disappointing loss, to come back and play with such energy was great."

Bellarmine opened up a quick 8-0 lead over the visitors from Rolla, Mo. The early run was capped by a Clemons layup and an ensuing Lady Miners timeout just 2:36 into the contest. The Knights forced Missouri S&T (5-8, 1-4 GLVC) into three turnovers during the run and 0-for-3 shooting.

Bellarmine (6-6, 2-2 GLVC) stretched their first period advantage to 13 points, 32-19, with 6:59 left until halftime on a fast break layup by senior forward Kelsey Lamb. The Knights' lead would not drop below nine for the remainder of the half until a jumper by Missouri S&T senior forward Karli Sample with 52 seconds on the clock cut the BU lead to seven, 40-33, the same score the squads would take to the locker rooms.

Both teams shot better than 50 percent from the field in the first half. Bellarmine's 54.8 (17-for-31) percent was their best shooting half of the season as the Knights put up 40 points.

With the Bellarmine lead at four, 50-46, following a brief 7-2 Lady Miners run, Hardin drilled consecutive three-pointers just 12 seconds apart, and vaulted Bellarmine's lead to 10, with 12:22 left.

The Knights did not look back. Bellarmine expanded their lead to 20, 72-52, following a 12-0 run that began at the 10:11 mark and finished five minutes later on a free throw by Galvin.

The final whistle blew with the same advantage for Bellarmine, an 85-65 blowout victory in the Knights' most dominant performance of the season.

"We're an equal opportunity offensive. Everyone can score and we showed that today," said Dugan.

For the game, Bellarmine shot 34-for-62 (54.8 percent) from the field, their highest shooting game of the season. The Knights also hit 7-of-21 three-point attempts and 10 of their 19 free throws. Missouri S&T finished 27-for-50 (54.0 percent) from the field, 1-for-8 from three, and 10-for-13 from the charity stripe.

Bellarmine spread the ball around better than they have done all season. On BU's 34 made buckets, 25 of them were on assists, the Knights' highest total of the season. The home team finished with 17 turnovers, but forced 26 Lady Miners turnovers, another top mark for the year. Bellarmine had 11 steals and finished with a season-low 32 rebounds, 12 of them on the offensive end, due to both teams' hot shooting.

"I thought we did a nice job pressuring the ball, but we just can't give up 65 points," said Dugan. "Once we understand what we're supposed to do, we'll be a lot better."

Freshman guard Mackenzie Martinez dished eight assists with just one turnover and collected five steals. Lamb led Bellarmine with six rebounds.

For Missouri S&T, Sample finished with a double-double on her 12 points and 11 boards. Off the bench, the Lady Miners' leading scorer junior guard Mia Wesley had 25. Missouri S&T had 12 assists, 26 rebounds, and 12 steals in the loss.

"It's always good to be able to coach out of a win, and they'll be things we'll need to work on come Monday," said Dugan.

Bellarmine will continue its home stand next weekend as the Knights host a pair of conference foes. On Thursday, Jan. 16, Indianapolis comes to Knights Hall for a 5:45 p.m. matchup and then on Saturday, Jan. 18, BU will host the Pumas of Saint Joseph's at 1 p.m.

GAME NOTES
HTML BOX SCORE