Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Playing their first game since Nov. 29, the No. 2 Bellarmine Knights rolled to a 97-75 wire-to-wire win over Ohio Valley University tonight on day one of the Bellarmine Classic presented by Best Western.

After a relatively close opening 20 minutes, Bellarmine blew the game open in the second half, extending their lead to 30 at the 8:32 mark. Senior Jake Thelen paced the Knights with 21 points and pulled down nine boards.

"This was a really good win coming off of final exams and no competition for two weeks," said Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport. "I'm really proud of them, especially in the second half. My favorite highlight was in the second half when we were substituting trying to get a lot of different looks, and everyone cheered and pulled for everyone else."

Bellarmine shot 54.4 percent for the game as 11 different players scored and 10 contributed at least one assist. The Knights also ruled the backboard, outrebounding the Fighting Scots 46-33 with sophomore Rusty Troutman raking in 11 on the night.

Other top performers for Bellarmine included Josh Derksen with 17 points, four assists and three rebounds, and Josh Sewell came off the bench to pour in 15 points and haul in four boards.

Ohio Valley, which fell to 0-6, placed five players in double figures, led by Chris Hall's 16 points.

The Knights improved to 7-0 on the season, and square off against No. 3 Florida Southern in tomorrow's concluding game of the Bellarmine Classic. The Moccasins also ran their record to 7-0 tonight with a 91-80 victory over Southern Indiana in the Classic's opening game.

"Tomorrow night will take on a life of its own," said Davenport about the Florida Southern matchup. "(Florida Southern) is probably the best nonconference opponent we've played since I've been at Bellarmine."

The 10^th year coach then asked for the support from the community. "We've got to have this place full tomorrow night," he said. "The students aren't here, and we need all the support we can get, and these players deserve that support."

Tomorrow's game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip and follows the Southern Indiana-Ohio Valley game at 5 p.m.

BOX SCORE (HTM)