SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A one-sided second quarter doomed the No. 25 Bellarmine University women's basketball team in an 84-66 loss to 12th-ranked Drury on Saturday in a Great Lakes Valley Conference contest at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.

All three of the losses for Bellarmine (16-3, 10-3 GLVC) have come against top-20 ranked teams. Drury (18-3, 11-2 GLVC) used a 28-14 advantage in the second quarter to pull ahead of the Knights 43-29 at halftime. BU clawed back to within nine with 2:35 left, but the Knights would get no closer.

"They were way more physical than we were, and that was the game," BU Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "Until we are physical, we can't beat a top 20 team."

Sarah Galvin put up big numbers for Bellarmine. The junior forward had a game- and season-high 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Galvin broke 20 points for the ninth time.

Sophomore guard Raven Merriweather added 12 points for Bellarmine, while senior guard Mackenzie Martinez chipped in eight behind 6-for-6 free-throw shooting. Freshman center Ally Mayhaus blocked three shots.

Drury had a balanced effort with five players scoring in double figures. Annie Armstrong led the Panthers with 19 points, Paige Wilson had 17, Briana Jones chipped in 13, Adrienne Horn contributed 12 and Addy Roller had 10.

Bellarmine trailed 11-4 in the first quarter but a 3-pointer by Galvin and jumper by junior guard Destony Curry with four seconds left tied it at 15. Early in the second quarter, Drury put together an 8-0 run and then the Panthers closed the period with an 11-4 burst to lead 43-29 at halftime.

Drury's advantage swelled to 21 in the third quarter before Bellarmine cut it to 13 heading into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the Knights were unable to make a serious push in the final period.

Bellarmine struggled from the floor, shooting 34.4 percent overall and 18.2 percent (2 of 11) from 3-point range. Drury shot 50 percent in the second half, but the Knights limited the Panthers to 42.6 percent overall. Drury sank eight 3-pointers.

Bellarmine turned the ball over 19 times, which led to 24 points for Drury. The Panthers committed only 12 turnovers.

"You have to be ready, focused on what you're doing and physical," Dugan said. "Championships are won with tough individuals and playing tough, gritty defense."

Bellarmine will host Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday and Maryville on Saturday.

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