CINCINNATI-The Bellarmine University men's basketball team tipped off its 2014-15 season tonight with a tough 86-79 exhibition loss to Cincinnati in Fifth Third Arena.

The Knights were in control for the majority of the opening 20 minutes with the Bearcats taking just a brief one-point lead with 4:08 remaining. The Knights scorched the nets with 70.4 percent shooting in the first half including hitting four of eight triples.

The roles reversed in the second period as the Bearcats heated to 62.5 percent shooting as the Knights cooled to 44.8 percent.

Cincinnati built a second period advantage that grew to as large as 18 points, but the Knights trimmed it back to single digits in the final minutes, but could get no closer than six.

"I am so appreciative of Mick Cronin," said Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport. "For him to invite us and allow us to come, I can't put it into words on appreciative we are."Davenport added, "I love our basketball team. The key word is our basketball team because I really want to encourage people to get behind this basketball team. This team has a chance to be very, very special, and I say that with great pride because I am with them every day. We have been practicing at 20 hours for two and a half weeks, and it seems like it has gone by in two minutes."

The Bellarmine coach, now in his 10^th season, pointed out the several key plays decided the outcome. "If you look at the three-pointer they banked in at the end of half, and the one where they beat the buzzer in the second half, those were big plays. We lost by seven points. It's a game of moments, and you have got to eliminate those."

Bellarmine's Jake Thelen led all scorers with 21 points as last year's national leader in field goal percentage converted 10 of 13 attempts and one of two free throws. The preseason All-American also led the Knights with six rebounds and seven assists.

Sophomore Josh Derksen was the first half catalyst and finished with 15 points, and Rusty Troutman chipped with 17 points.

The Bearcats were led by Ocatavious Ellis with 12 points and nine rebounds.

For the game, Bellarmine shot 56.6 percent, but the Bearcats nearly kept pace, sinking 54.4 percent of their attempts. Cincinnati won the battle of the boards 28-24 and forced the Knights into 17 turnovers while coughing it up 14 times.

The Knights are back in action on Sunday, facing the University of Louisville in their final exhibition. Tip is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

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