LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The importance of Mikayla Berry's return from injury was evident in the Bellarmine University women's basketball team's Thursday upset of No. 6 Drury, but her presence may have been even more impactful Saturday against Missouri S&T.

The sophomore guard scored 16 of her 20 points in the second half, and the Knights were perfect from the free-throw line in 18 attempts as they turned back a gutsy effort from the Miners in grinding out a 78-69 victory in Great Lakes Valley Conference action at Knights Hall.

"We knew this was going to be tough, especially coming off an emotional win Thursday night," Bellarmine Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "Give S&T credit. We knew they weren't going to go away. I'm just glad we got the win."

Wearing pink in honor of cancer victims, Bellarmine (10-8, 5-4 GLVC) won for the third time in four games. Senior guard Raven Merriweather matched Berry with 20 points against Missouri S&T (7-10, 2-7), and senior forward Beth Bowers grabbed 11 rebounds and added nine points and four blocks. Berry played in her second game since returning from an injury that had sidelined her since Dec. 7.

The teams collaborated to put on a free-throw shooting clinic. While Bellarmine was 18 for 18, Missouri S&T was 17 for 18 (94.4 percent) from the charity stripe. They combined to 35 for 36 in posting astonishing 97.2 percent accuracy.

Missouri S&T's Maddie Raley scored 16 of her 22 points in the first half and sank four 3-pointers alone in the second quarter. Janie Arand then scored 13 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter, nailing a trio of 3-pointers in the frame.

Arand's hot shooting kept Bellarmine from pulling away in the final period. The Knights led by 12 with 4:34 left on a jumper by freshman guard Breia Torrens, but Arand hit back-to-back 3-pointers and the Miners were within 68-65 with 1:41 left.

Sophomore forward Allison Van Dyke was fouled after a defensive stop and canned a pair of free throws. The Knights stopped the Miners again, and Berry followed with a pair from the charity stripe for a 72-65 lead with 47 seconds left.

Berry went on to drain four more free throws, and Bowers converted on a pair. The Knights went 13 for 13 from the charity stripe in the final period. Berry and Merriweather combined to go 11 for 11 for the game.

Bellarmine led 17-9 after one quarter and 32-29 at halftime. Berry scored seven points in the third quarter, and Van Dyke knocked down a jumper with two seconds remaining as the Knights held a 50-41 edge heading into the fourth.

"In the second half, we buckled down a little more," Dugan said.

Bellarmine plays Thursday at Indianapolis.

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