EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A furious fourth-quarter comeback by the Bellarmine University women's basketball team came up just short Tuesday as the Knights were defeated 72-62 by Evansville in the Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

In her season debut, senior guard Tasia Jeffries scored a team-high 17 points for Bellarmine (0-4), which rallied back to within two in the final period after trailing by 18 in the third. Senior guard Breia Torrens tallied 13 points and five assists, junior guard Presley Brown matched a career high with 10 points and set a new career best with seven rebounds, and senior forward Lauren Deel chipped in 10 points.

With 3:14 left in the third quarter, Evansville (4-1) built a 57-39 lead on a 3-pointer by Abby Feit, who posted game highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds. However, Bellarmine avoided the knockout with a 7-0 run capped by a Torrens' 3-pointer to start the fourth period.

Bellarmine maintained momentum and that run increased to 17-4 over the first six minutes of the stanza, as Evansville's lead deteriorated to only two at 64-62 after Torrens spotted Deel for a layup. Deel had six points and Torrens delivered four assists in the final frame.

Bellarmine couldn't quite make the final push needed to overtake Evansville and collect its first Division I victory. After seeing their advantage dissipate to two, the Aces closed the game on a 8-0 run to turn back the Knights' charge.

Some of the trademarks that made Bellarmine successful in Division II were present Tuesday. The Knights dialed up their pressure in their comeback and forced Evansville into 22 turnovers, nine of which were steals, including three by junior guard Kathleen Scott. While Bellarmine was outrebounded 38-31, the Knights had a 12-8 advantage in offensive rebounds.

Evansville's offensive efficiency over the first three quarters may have been the difference. The Aces shot 58.8 percent or higher in each of those periods and ultimately finished at 52.2 percent despite going cold in the final stanza compared to 34.4 percent for Bellarmine. Evansville also sank 10 of its 22 three-point attempts as Anna Newman joined Feit in the double-double column with 11 points and 12 assists.

Evansville's 10-point lead, at 26-16, after one quarter proved to be critical for the Aces. The teams played dead even after that. Jeffries settled in quickly in her season debut, scoring seven points in the initial period.

Bellarmine will host Morehead State at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Monday in Freedom Hall.

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