Box Score LOUISVILLE, KY. — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team earned an important 85-79 conference win over the visiting McKendree Bearcats on Thursday night at Knights Hall. Senior guard Therese Montano scored 20 points in the win and junior forward Morgan Clemons recorded her first double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

"This is a maturation process," said head coach Chancellor Dugan. "I was proud of the way we shared the ball and came home and got the win."

The first half was a complete team effort by the Knights. All of Bellarmine's 11 dressed players scored at least two points in the first period and no player netted more than six for BU en route to the Knights' 39-35 lead at halftime. Sophomore guard Mackenzie Martinez hit all three of her shots and junior forward Morgan clemons hit two of five attempts, and the two starters each scored six points in the half.

After nine lead changes in the first 15 minutes, a jumper in the paint by freshman guard Destony Curry gave Bellarmine with 4:54 remaining gave the Knights a 30-29 lead. Bellarmine held the advantage for the remainder of the first half and BU would head to the break with a 39-35 lead over the visitors from Lebanon, Ill.

Both squads shot better than 45 percent in the half, but Bellarmine took the edge with a 46.7 percent mark to McKendree's 45.5 percent. The Knights hit eight of their nine free throw attempts in the period and were 3-for-8 from behind the arc.

Bellarmine (10-8, 6-4 GLVC) kept the pressure on the Bearcats in the second period, extending the lead to a game-high nine points, 63-54, on a three-pointer by freshman guard Jessica Hardin with 8:02 to play. Bellarmine did not surrender the advantage for the remainder of the period and hung on for an 85-79 conference win.

"At practice, we come in and learn something new and another kid understands what we're trying to do. We're growing every game," said Dugan.

Bellarmine shot nearly 60 percent (13-for-22) in the second half and drained four of their seven three-point attempts (57.1 percent).

Bellarmine finished the game with their best shooting performance of the season, going 27-for-52 (51.9 percent) from the field and a season-high 46.7 percent on 7-for-15 shooting from three-point range.  The Knights hit 24 of their 32 free throw attempts, good for 75 percent.

Bellarmine finished with 16 assists, 18 turnovers, five blocks, and five steals. Eight different players scored at least five points for the Knights. Bellarmine has now scored at least 80 points in three straight games.

Montano's 20 points are a season-high for the senior and marks her third straight game scoring in double figures. Clemons' double-double is just her second of her career and ties her season-high in rebounds that she had in BU's season-opener at Cedarville on Nov. 13.

Martinez scored a career-high 16 points on an efficient 5-for-8 from the field. The Louisville, Ky. native also dished five assists with just one turnover, and recorded two steals on the evening.

McKendree (7-10, 2-7 GLVC) finished the game shooting 28-for-63 (44.4 percent) from the field, 3-for-10 (30.0 percent) from three, and 20-for-22 (90.9 percent) from the free throw line. McKendree senior guard Brittany Willis scored 23 points on 10-for-21 shooting and junior guard Caty Ponce scored 21. Willis' 21 shots were the highest total Bellarmine has allowed this season to single player.

Bellarmine outrebounded McKendree 35-30 on the evening and put in 20 points off turnovers to the Bearcats' 18. The Knights scored 26 of their 85 points in the paint and McKendree scored 42 of their 79 points in the paint.

The Knights return to action on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Knights Hall against Illinois Springfield. The game is set to tip off at 1:00 p.m. and is Bellarmine's homecoming.

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