EVANSVILLE, Ind. — On the final day of the USI Thanksgiving Classic, the Bellarmine University women's basketball team followed its recipe for success to near perfection.

The result was that the Knights feasted on Lake Erie in the second half of a 77-49 romp Sunday at the Physical Activities Center.

Senior center Liza Tibbs converted 8-of-9 shots and registered game highs of 16 points, nine rebounds and three blocks for Bellarmine (5-0). Junior guard Katie Downey posted 14 points and four assists, sophomore forward Lauren Deel chipped in 12 points and junior forward Allison Van Dyke added 11 against Lake Erie (2-2).

Bellarmine carried a six-point lead into halftime, but the Knights owned the second half in outscoring the Storm 46-24 over the final two stanzas. Bellarmine asserted itself from the get-go in the third period and ultimately cruised to the victory after putting up 25 points and holding Lake Erie to 10 in the frame.

"I thought we squashed them in the third quarter (with our press)," Bellarmine Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "I really liked our intensity."

It may be too early in the season to call it a "vintage" Bellarmine win, but the themes were certainly present. The Knights had decisive advantages in points off turnovers (39-14), points in the paint (46-22) and bench points (43-11), all hallmarks thus far in the team's undefeated start. The scoring load was shared, as was the ball — Bellarmine racked up 21 assists with junior forward Mallory Schwartz and sophomore guard Breia Torrens matching Downey with four helpers apiece.

Bellarmine's press wreaked havoc on Lake Erie. The cracks showed in the first half, but the Storm caved against the pressure in the third quarter. Lake Erie had nine of its 28 turnovers in the period. Freshman guard Kathleen Scott opened the frame with a steal, which led to a basket by junior center Ally Mayhaus.

Consecutive steals by Downey and Scott precipitated a free throw by Deel and layup by Downey as Bellarmine led by 13 less than 2 minutes, 30 seconds into the quarter. A Torrens theft then set up an old-fashioned three-point play by Van Dyke. The lead eventually swelled to 22 as Van Dyke canned a jumper and two free throws.

"I thought the girls really came out and executed what we drew up at halftime," Dugan said of defensive adjustments that were implemented during the break. "We played well and did what we needed to do."

Bellarmine shot 49.2 percent and limited Lake Erie to 37.8 percent. The Knights had a 41-27 advantage on the boards, hauling in 18 offensive rebounds.

Bellarmine will play its third straight game at the PAC as the Knights open Great Lakes Valley Conference action Saturday against Southern Indiana.

"We have to come in here with poise," Dugan said. "The game will be tough and physical, and we have to match (USI's) physicality."

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