LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The No. 7 Bellarmine Knights soared past the Midway Eagles 98-52 today in a non-conference game at Knights Hall.
 
The game's outcome was seemingly never in doubt as the host Knights jumped out to 9-0 lead and Midway never seriously challenged.
 
Bellarmine turned in a solid performance in all phases of the game. Offensively, the Knights connected on 60.3 percent of their field goals including a robust 11 of 18 from 3-point range and committed just six turnovers. As a team, the Knights handed out 31 assists on 38 made baskets.
 
Defensively, Bellarmine held Midway to just 35.3 percent shooting and dominated the glass 40-23.
 
Individually, a host of Knights turned in big games, but Adam Eberhard's performance stands out because it was near perfect. The sophomore from Evansville, Indiana made all nine of his field goals and sank five of six free throws for 23 points. He also hauled in six rebounds to tie teammates Rusty Troutman and Alex Cook for game-high honors.
 
Five different players scored in double figures for the Knights:  Eberhard (23), Tyler Jenkins (14), Brent Bach (13), Troutman (10), and Caleb Taylor, who set a career high with 10. In all, 11 different Knights hit the scoring column as 13 players saw action today.
 
Jarek Coles was one of the players who didn't find the scoring column, but the junior guard made his presence felt by dishing out a game-high six assists in just 16 minutes of action.
 
"I'm incredibly impressed with our players today, because they played the way we practice," said Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport. "In my eyes, the stars (of the game) are kids like Jarek Coles, who didn't score a point, but had six assists and no turnovers. They embraced getting each other shots the entire game. We played 13 guys double digit minutes." 
 
Coach Davenport added that the Knights accomplished their main goal of the game, which was passing. "I told our players to love getting assists as much as you love scoring. As soon as you do that for a teammate, then he is going do it for you.  We played right. This was Bellarmine basketball."
 
The win was Bellarmine's eighth in a row as they improve to 8-1.  Midway, a member of the NAIA's River States Conference, remains 1-10 as today's game was officially an exhibition for the Eagles.
 
Midway got a solid effort from Will Hudson, who came off the bench to toss in 21 points, making eight of 11 shots and draining five of seven 3-pointers.
 
The Knights return to action when they host the Bellarmine Classic on Friday and Saturday. The Classic will open with Southern Indiana taking on Martin Methodist in a 5 p.m. contest followed by Bellarmine playing Kentucky State. On Saturday, the USI and Bellarmine trade opponents with the Screaming Eagles playing the Thorobreds at 5 p.m. and the Knights and Martin Methodist squaring off at 7:30 p.m.
 
"Spread the word all week and help us as much as you can," Davenport told listeners to the postgame radio show. "It means so much to these young guys. Those people who are so faithful and loyal to us.  We really appreciate them.  Go find a neighbor, co-worker or friend. Give somebody a Christmas present and bring them to the game. They'll get hooked, and they'll be back."
 
BOX SCORE (HTM)