LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It may be very early in the season but, in a sense, Friday's triumph was a long time coming for the Bellarmine University women's basketball team.

Following a nearly two-week layoff and after two straight losses, Bellarmine returned to action in Knights Hall and secured a 70-60 victory over Midwest Region counterpart Trevecca Nazarene behind a game-high 20 points from junior guard Tasia Jeffries.

"We've really worked hard the last two weeks," Knights Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "I've really been on them, and they responded. Thirteen days without a chance for a game — it got me."

Jeffries scored 12 of her points in the fourth quarter for the Knights (2-2), who played their first game in the Bellarmine Thanksgiving Classic. Senior forward Mallory Schwartz collected 10 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists against the Trojans (3-4), while junior guard Breia Torrens registered 10 points, six steals, four assists and four rebounds.

Trevecca Nazarene shot 48.8 percent, but Bellarmine minimized that strong effort by forcing the Trojans into 31 turnovers behind 18 steals. The Knights had an overwhelming 33-14 advantage in points off turnovers. In addition, Bellarmine allowed a mere four offensive rebounds and ripped down 14, all of which contributed to the Knights hoisting 24 more shots than the Trojans and posting a 12-0 advantage in second-chance points.

"If you're going to give it your all, that means your defense has to show up," Dugan said.

Bellarmine looked like it might run away with the contest after building a 37-19 lead one minute into the third quarter on a Schwartz putback. However, Trevecca Nazarene methodically worked back into the game, cutting the deficit to 52-44 entering the fourth and all the way down to two on a pair of occasions in the last period.

The second time, at 54-52, came with 7:25 left. Jeffries responded with a pair of 3-pointers that boosted the lead back to seven. After a pair of Trojan free throws, Jeffries sparked a 6-0 run with a putback of her own miss. It was the final push Bellarmine needed, as the Knights pulled away for a 66-55 advantage with 3:25 left en route to victory.  

"I'm really proud of them. They did so many things right tonight," Dugan said. "There were times during the game we looked really, really good. It's something to build upon."

Bayleigh Carmichel paced Trevecca Nazarene with 15 points behind three 3-pointers. Samantha Whiteman and Olivia Pepperman chipped in 11 each.

The Knights will host Tampa at 3 p.m. (ET) Saturday in their final game in the Bellarmine Thanksgiving Classic.

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