ROMEOVILLE, Ill.—The Bellarmine University women's basketball team turned in a good effort against the No. 9 Lewis Flyers this afternoon in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game in Neil Carey Arena, but dropped an 83-73 decision as the hosts pulled away in the final minutes to post a double digit victory.

The Knights forced the Flyers into 28 turnovers and turned that into 20 more field goal attempts, but Lewis made up the difference by converting a sizzling 65.2 percent of its shots while holding Bellarmine to just 37.1 percent from the field.

Bellarmine got a solid effort from Beth Bowers, who turned in a season-high with 18 points. However, the Flyers' Jessica Kelliher tied her career-high with 29 points to lead all scorers. 

Bellarmine's Sarah Galvin, who saw limited action due to foul trouble, managed 15 points and five steals in just 24 minutes while Destony Curry added 13 points for the Knights. Kelsey Adwell had another strong effort with seven assists and five rebounds.

In a game featuring the top two teams in the GLVC East Division, the contest was close throughout. After Lewis opened the game with a 7-0 run, Bellarmine battled back to seize a 15-12 advantage before the Flyers scored the last four points of the first quarter to take a 21-19 lead.

In the second period, Bellarmine again fought back to take a brief lead, claiming a 29-25 cushion at the 4:46 mark. This time, the Flyers responded by reeling off nine straight points and eventually moved ahead by eight. The Knights trimmed the lead to 39-35 at the halftime break on a 3-pointer by Whitney Hartlage.

Lewis scored the first six points of the third period to take their first double digit lead at 44-34, but the Knights again stiffened defensively and trimmed the margin back to just four at the end of three.

In the final period, The Knights got within 64-61 as Mackenzie Martinez drilled a triple at the 6-minute mark. However, the Knights would get no closer as the host Flyers extended the lead to as many as 12 in the final minutes.

The Knights suffer just their second loss of the year and slip to 13-2 overall and 7-2 in league play. The Flyers extend their win streak to 13 as they improve to 18-1, 9-0 GLVC.

Bellarmine, ranked No. 23 in the National Media Poll, returns to action on Thursday evening when they host St. Joseph's at 5:45 p.m. in Knights Hall.

BOX SCORE (HTM)