Box Score RENSSELAER, Ind. — Since he was averaging nearly 33 minutes of action per game, it was a bit of a mystery as to how the Bellarmine University men's basketball team would perform without preseason All-American Jake Thelen for an extended period of time.

It turns out the Knights — thanks to a sizzling George Suggs and a dynamic Chris Whitehead — were just fine. That duo helped No. 2/4 Bellarmine control the first half when Thelen departed with foul trouble, and the Knights dominated the second half upon the senior forward's return in a 91-71 romp Saturday over Saint Joseph's at Richard F. Scharf Alumni Fieldhouse.

Whitehead had his second most prolific scoring game of the season by tossing in a game-high 19 points for Bellarmine (13-2 overall), which improved to 5-1 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play and broke 90 for the fifth time this season. Suggs drilled a career-high five 3-pointers in scoring 17 points, a total that was matched by sophomore forward Josh Derksen. Sophomore guard Rusty Troutman and senior forward Josh Sewell chipped in 11 points apiece.

Thelen was whistled for his second foul less than five minutes into the game and wouldn't return until the start of the second half. Bellarmine didn't just hang on in Thelen's absence — it took command of the game and never lost its grip. When Thelen departed, the Knights trailed the Pumas (4-13, 1-6) by five points. By halftime, BU had built a lead as large as 15 before entering the break ahead 44-37.

"This was a monumental effort when Jake Thelen — who is having an All-American, Player of the Year type of year — has close to season lows in points and rebounds and we win by 20," BU Coach Scott Davenport said.

Suggs and Whitehead were nearly unstoppable in the first half. Suggs was merciless from the perimeter, draining four of his five attempts from 3-point land. Whitehead showcased his playmaking ability, racking up 12 points but also dishing out five assists. His driving layup with 2 seconds left propelled the Knights into halftime on a high note. The senior guard finished with a game-best eight assists.

"I'm incredibly proud of George Suggs and Chris Whitehead tonight," Davenport said.

Thelen re-entered after halftime and, not surprisingly, Bellarmine really started to roll once he settled in. Despite significant time on the bench, the two-time GLVC Player of the Week still managed to flirt with a double-double, scoring nine points and grabbing seven rebounds. Not only did the Knights benefit from his return, Derksen had a huge second half with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

"Josh Derksen had his most complete game of the year, without a doubt," said Davenport, noting the five rebounds and turnover-free play of the Australian. "He really played just a solid basketball game."

A traditional three-point play by Derksen increased Bellarmine's lead to 12 early in the second half, and the Knights maintained that advantage through the 10-minute mark. After Whitehead fired to Derksen for a basket, Suggs canned another 3-pointer and Thelen sank two free throws, BU's lead had ballooned to 21 with 6:23 left. Sewell's layup pushed it to as high as 28.

Bellarmine was efficient from the floor in both halves, shooting over 50 percent each time to finish at 53.4 percent. The Knights' 66-62 loss at third-ranked Indianapolis in their previous game could arguably be pinned on poor free throw shooting. After shooting 61.1 percent (11 for 18) from the charity stripe against the Greyhounds, BU nailed 22 of 27 (81.5 percent) against the Pumas.

Equally important was that Bellarmine committed a season-low seven turnovers, including a single one in the second half. As a result, the Knights held a 23-9 advantage in points off turnovers, not to mention a 40-14 superiority in points in the paint. Senior guard Corbin Maynard helped lead the effort on defense with three steals while also connecting on all five of his free throw tries.

Saint Joseph's star Cameron Vines led the Pumas with 17 points, but he was limited by Bellarmine to 5-for-16 shooting from the floor. While it shot 52 percent in the first half, Saint Joseph's plummeted to 31 percent after the intermission. Jonah Coble added 13 points and Nathan Tidwell and Corey Howard chipped in 11 for the Pumas.

Bellarmine will conclude its five-game road swing by playing at Southern Indiana on Monday night.

BOX SCORE (HTM)