Box Score QUINCY, Ill. — Despite a strong start, the Bellarmine University women's basketball team faded in the second half on the road at No. 11 Quincy University on Thursday evening, and fell 79-89 in an interdivisional conference matchup. Bellarmine was led by senior guard Therese Montano's 20 points and freshman guard Jessica Hardin's career-high 19 points.

"It's disappointing," said head coach Chancellor Dugan. "We had exactly what we wanted and we let it get away. It's disheartening."

Bellarmine (11-9, 7-5 GLVC) played a game of two very distinct halves. With 10:20 left in the first period, Bellarmine took a two-point, 18-16, lead over the Lady Hawks on one of Hardin's five three-pointers. The Knights jumped into an 18-6 run over the next four minutes, forcing a timeout by Quincy with 5:57 left until halftime. Bellarmine shot 7-for-10 over the run and were a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. The Knights held the lead the rest of the half and took a commanding 13-point advantage into the locker room on one of their best halves of the season.

Bellarmine shot well in the first period and took care of the ball. The Knights finished the half 17-for-32 (53.1 percent) from the floor, 4-for-8 (50.0 percent) from behind the arc and 8-for-9 (88.9 percent) from the free throw line. The Knights had 10 assists to just four turnovers, and forced 10 giveaways by the Lady Hawks. Quincy finished 11-for-27 (40.7 percent) from the field, 1-for-6 (16.7 percent) from three, and 10-for-11 from the line.

The Lady Hawks (18-2, 11-1 GLVC) took just 7:49 into the second half to eliminate Bellarmine's advantage. Quincy went on a monstrous 25-2 run in the second period in just over eight minutes of play, and surged ahead 62-55 with 10:12 to play. The Knights went 1-for-6 over the stretch and turned the ball in seven straight possessions.

"We need to be tougher, play harder, and learn from this," said Dugan. "We need to clean it up.

A reeling Bellarmine squad trailed the rest of the competition, unable to launch a comeback down the stretch and make a run at the eleventh-ranked team in the nation. The Knights couldn't respond and fell 89-79 on the road in Quincy, Ill.

The Knights shot just 12-for-31 (38.7 percent) in the second period, but hit five of their 10 three-point attempts and all four free throws. Bellarmine had 12 turnovers in the second half, six assists, and committed 18 fouls. Quincy shot 16-for-32 (50.0 percent) in the period, 4-for-8 (50.0 percent) from three and 20-for-26 (76.9 percent) from the line, had seven assists, three turnovers and eight fouls.

The Knights finished 29-for-63 (46.0 percent) for the game, 9-for-18 (50.0 percent) from behind the arc, and 12-for-13 (92.3 percent) from the line, but committed 29 costly fouls and 16 turnovers. The Knights had two players foul out and gave up a season-highs 30 free throw makes and 37 free throw attempts to Quincy.

The Lady Hawks won the battle in points in the paint 40-34 and a 22-16 mark in points off turnovers.

Montano's 20 points ties her season high and is her eighth 20 point performance of her career. Hardin's career-high 19 points came on 7-for-14 shooting and 5-for-7 from three. It was her third game this season of five or more three-pointers, and second straight. In her last two games, the freshman is 10-for-16 (62.5 percent) from behind the arc.

Sophomore guard Mackenzie Martinez had nine points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals, and off the bench, freshman guard Destony Curry had nine points, senior Kelsey Lamb didn't miss a shot, hitting all four of her attempts for eight points, and sophomore center Jennifer Smith finished with eight points.

Bellarmine was outrebounded 39-32 on the evening, partly due to Quincy redshirt-senior guard Lucy Cramsey who pulled in 12 rebounds and 17 points for the double double. Sophomore guard Carly Beebe had 23, sophomore forward Kara Gerbus had 15, and sophomore guard Maggie Cunningham had 10. The Knights held senior center Hannah Weedman, who is sixth in the nation in field goal percentage, to just 1-for-6 shooting and eight points.

The Knights will head to Truman State on Saturday, Feb. 8 for a 1 p.m. CST game against the sharpshooting Bulldogs.