EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team played Southern Indiana down to the wire on Monday evening before being edged 65-59 at the Physical Activities Center in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.

Sophomore guard Destony Curry tied a career high by sinking four 3-pointers in tallying a team-high 14 points for Bellarmine (8-7, 3-4 GLVC), while freshman forward Beth Bowers added 13. Senior forward Morgan Clemons and sophomore guard Whitney Hartlage had four steals apiece for the Knights, who forced Southern Indiana (14-3, 6-1) into 23 turnovers but committed 21 themselves.

Less than five minutes into the game, Bellarmine fell behind by 10 points, and it appeared as if the Knights would continue a rough patch that's taken place during a five-game road swing. However, BU showed its resilient side, pushing back with a 6-0 run and starting a highly competitive affair.

A 9-0 run to close the first half that featured five points from Curry and four from Bowers knotted it up at 29 leading into halftime. Then, in the second half, Bellarmine took its first lead since the first minute when junior guard Mackenzie Martinez knocked down a free throw only 41 seconds into the frame.

USI went back ahead, but a 7-0 run capped by junior center Jennifer Smith's layup put BU up with 11:37 left. The Screaming Eagles took the lead for good at the 6:35 mark on a free throw by Mary O'Keefe, but the Knights remained hot on their heels until the final buzzer sounded.

With 2:16 remaining, Hartlage's layup cut Bellarmine's deficit to 58-57. A critical turnover and missed jumper by the Knights along with three free throws and a putback by USI helped the Screaming Eagles stave off BU's upset bid.

Anna Hackert led Southern Indiana with 16 points and 13 rebounds. O'Keefe and Autumn Miller added 10 apiece.

Bellarmine canned 15-of-17 free throws (88.2 percent) for the game. USI attempted 33 shots from the charity stripe, hitting 22.

Bellarmine will welcome Lewis to Knights Hall on Thursday.

BOX SCORE (HTM)