LEBANON, Ill. — Chancellor Dugan told her Bellarmine University women's basketball team that Thursday's contest with McKendree could hinge on guard play. Raven Merriweather took those words to heart.

In her first start of the season, the sophomore guard racked up a season-high 18 points and her five steals helped the No. 25 Knights dominate in points off turnovers in a 68-58 victory over McKendree at the Harry M. Statham Sports Center in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.

Merriweather knocked down seven of her 10 shots, including a scorching 4-of-5 effort from 3-point range as Bellarmine improved to 19-3 overall and 13-3 in the GLVC. Junior guards Whitney Hartlage and Destony Curry chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively, behind a combined five 3-pointers while junior guard Kelsey Adwell and junior forward Sarah Galvin had nine apiece against the Bearcats (11-15, 6-10).

Bellarmine won for the sixth time in seven games as the Knights had a devastating 34-7 advantage in points off turnovers. BU was particularly opportunistic during a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter that turned a close game upside down.

"I thought defensively in the fourth quarter we looked good," Dugan said. "We got some steals and rebounded better."

Merriweather drilled a pair of 3-pointers to open the game for Bellarmine, and the Knights never trailed. Shots from beyond the arc were key for BU, which sank 10 trifectas to only three for McKendree. The Knights drained six of their 11 shots from deep (54.5 percent) in the second half.

"Our guards did a good job," Dugan said. "I told them at halftime that it was going to be a guard's night. Our shooters had to keep shooting the ball."

Despite trailing almost the entire game, McKendree never let BU settle in. The Knights led by seven after the first quarter and 10 at halftime, but the Bearcats outscored them 18-11 in the third to creep back into it.

With 8:54 left in the fourth quarter, McKendree cut its deficit to 46-45. But starting with a layup from freshman center Ally Mayhaus, the Knights ripped off a 12-0 run over the next four minutes to take a comfortable lead.

Steals by senior guard Mackenzie Martinez and Adwell both led to 3-pointers by Curry. When Merriweather had another theft and fed Mayhaus for what resulted in a traditional three-point play, the Knights had surged to a 63-47 lead. Dugan instituted a 1-3-1 zone defense in the fourth that flummoxed McKendree.

"A lot of people don't play it, but it's a great defense if your kids are hustling," Dugan said. "Our kids were hustling."

Emily Pusheck led McKendree with 13 points. No other Bearcat scored in double figures.

Bellarmine plays at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday at Illinois Springfield.

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