LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine women's basketball team forced a season-high 27 turnovers and held the seventh-highest scoring team in the country to just 62 points in a statement win over conference rival Southern Indiana, 72-62, on Monday night at Knights Hall. Sophomore guard Sarah Galvin scored 17 points and sophomore guard Mackenzie Martinez filled the stat sheet with 15 points, seven assists, seven steals, six rebounds, and two blocks.

"We played the type of game I've always known we could play," said head coach Chancellor Dugan. "I thought our press was outstanding, and the win is a tribute to how hard these girls have worked."

With an 8-0 run to open to the game, Bellarmine's quick start gave the Knights an early edge on the visitors from Evansville, Ind. Bellarmine jumped out to the lead thanks to threats both inside and outside. Freshman guard Jessica Hardin opened the scoring with a three-pointer and sophomore forward Sarah Galvin battled her way into the next five points in the paint, forcing a USI timeout just 2:27 into the game.

Bellarmine (8-7, 4-3 GLVC) held the lead for the remainder of the half. The Screaming Eagles made several pushes to equalize the score, cutting the Bellarmine advantage to two on five separate occasions during the opening period, but the Knights staved off the visiting attack and ended the half with a narrow two point lead, 36-34.

The first tie of the ballgame came 36 seconds into the when a layup by USI junior guard Libby Odgen knotted up the score 36-36.

With 19:02 left, junior forward Morgan Clemons gave Bellarmine the 38-36 lead. The Knights wouldn't look back. Bellarmine shot off into a 14-2 run in which the Knights shot 6-for-12 from the field and hit all of their free throws. Even more importantly, Bellarmine held USI to 1-for-9 from the field and forced eight turnovers during the run.

Southern Indiana (11-4, 5-2 GLVC) junior guard Taylor Stevenson was called for charging with the Screaming Eagles trailing by eight, 46-38, and 13:15 left in the game. Stevenson was then whistled for a frustration technical foul, which gave BU free throws and the ball. Bellarmine capitalized on both free throws and a Martinez' layup eight seconds later sharply swung the game in favor of the home side, giving BU a 12-point lead on USI, 50-38.

Bellarmine increased their lead to a game-high 18, 67-49, with 4:11 left, and despite a small run by the Screaming Eagles to finish the game, Bellarmine hung on and grabbed an important conference win, 72-62, over Southern Indiana.

"We made an adjustment at halftime to prevent long passes, and the and the best part is that we made the adjustment and then we came out and did it," said Dugan.

Bellarmine finished the game 26-for-62 (41.9 percent) from the field, 4-for-13 (30.8 percent) from three, and 16-for-23 (69.6 percent) from the free throw line. The Knights had 15 assists, 14 turnovers, and tied their season-high with 17 steals.

Galvin's 17-point performance, on 7-for-10 shooting, was her sixth straight double-figure scoring game. Galvin also pulled down five boards in the contest. Martinez set career-highs with 15 points, six rebounds, tied her career high with seven steals, and was one shy of her career-best with seven assists.

"When [Martinez] comes to play, we're a very good team," said Dugan.

Freshman Jessica Hardin hit four three-pointers en route to her 14 points. Hardin has now had three or more triples in six games this season. Junior forward Morgan Clemons had 10 points on 3-for-6 shooting for the Knights.

Coming off a 29-point win over 14th-ranked Indianapolis, Southern Indiana never led Bellarmine on Monday night. The Screaming Eagles were plagued by their highest turnover total (27) since Feb. 14, 2009 when they turned the ball over 28 times at Quincy. Southern Indiana shot 19-for-48 (39.6 percent) from the field, 2-for-6 (33.3 percent) from three, and 22-for-25 (88 percent) from the line. Their six three-point shots were their fewest of the season and their two three-point makes were tied for their lowest mark of the season.

The reigning Great Lakes Valley Conference player of the week, USI senior guard Stephanie Carpenter, who has hit nearly three three-point shots per game this season finished with 14 points and failed to hit a three (0-for-2).

Bellarmine looks to stretch their winning streak to three games as they travel to Wisconsin-Parkside on Thursday, Jan. 23 for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff. 

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