Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Despite a furious comeback, the Bellarmine University women's basketball team couldn't finish the job and fell in the final seconds, 65-68, in a conference match against the Missouri-St. Louis Tritons on Thursday evening at Knights Hall. Five Knights finished with double-figures in the loss.

"I'm disappointed," said head coach Chancellor Dugan. "I liked the valiant effort coming back but our start was hard to overcome."

Bellarmine (11-11, 7-7 GLVC) trailed the entire first half after a slow start. Missouri-St. Louis started the game on a 14-0 run and held the lead for the first 20 minutes of the game. The Knights' first field goal came 9:49 into the game on a layup by freshman guard Jessica Hardin, which made the score 7-24.

An ensuing 15-2 Bellarmine run cut the deficit to six, 22-28, with 2:58 until halftime. The Knights' defense forced eight turnovers over the seven minute run. The period ended with Bellarmine trailing by eight, 36-28.

"I don't know what the deal was with our start. We practiced rebounding all week and we didn't do it in the first half," said Dugan.

The Knights shot just 8-for-22 (36.4 percent) from the field in the first half and missed all four of their three-point attempts. However, BU knocked down 12 of their 15 (80.0 percent) free-throws on 11 Triton fouls. Missouri-St. Louis was 14-for-30 (46.7 percent) from the floor, 2-for-3 (66.7 percent) from three, and 6-for-8 (75.0 percent) from the stripe. Both squads finished with 10 turnovers in the first half and UMSL had a 20-13 edge on the boards.

Bellarmine came out of the break with intensity and a 9-4 spurt that cut the UMSL lead to 3, 35-38, with 18:23 to play. The Knights kept fighting and took the lead, 49-48, with 8:51 left until the final buzzer on a bucket by senior forward Kelsey Lamb.

The remaining minutes were back and forth, with six ties and eight lead changes in the final nine minutes. With the game tied, 65-65, with just 16 seconds remaining and Bellarmine with the ball, BU had a chance to seal a victory. However, a turnover and fastbreak layup and foul on the other end for the Tritons doomed the Knights' comeback effort. A final heave at the buzzer for Bellarmine fell short and Missouri-St. Louis escaped with a 68-65 win over Bellarmine.

"We struggle to take what we learned in practice and apply it on game day. We've worked on things in practice and do them in games," said Dugan.

Bellarmine shot 25-for-54 (44.4 percent) for the game after a 50 percent mark in the second period. The Knights failed to hit a three-pointer for the first time since Jan. 11, 2003 against Quincy. Bellarmine went 17-for-23 (73.9 percent) from the charity stripe. The Knights finished with 12 assists, 18 turnovers, two blocks, and 10 steals. Bellarmine outrebounded UMSL 35-34.

Sophomore forward Sarah Galvin, Hardin, and junior forward Morgan Clemons each scored 11 points in the game to lead the team. Sophomore guard Mackenzie Martinez and senior guard Therese Montano had 10. Galvin led the team with eight rebounds.

Missouri-St. Louis shot 26-for-60 (43.3 percent) for the game, 3-for-8 (37.5 percent) from behind the arc and 13-for-17 (76.5 percent) from the free-throw line. The Tritons had 14 assists, 16 giveaways, three blocks, and 12 steals as UMSL has now won six straight.

Tritons senior forward Hazaria Washington led all players with 21 points. Junior forward Tierra Snow pulled in a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds and finished with three steals.

During the game, the Knights wore pink jerseys for cancer awareness that had the name of someone who has battled cancer on the back. During halftime of the Bellarmine men's basketball game, each player presented the jersey to the person who is honored on the jersey. 

Bellarmine will return to Knights Hall on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1:00 p.m. for senior day. Montano, Lamb, and senior guard Kylee Hamilton will be honored before the game. 

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