LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team came out clicking in both halves Saturday afternoon in Freedom Hall, but ASUN Conference power Florida Gulf Coast responded by kicking things into high gear in capturing an 81-58 victory over the Knights.

The contest marked the first-ever ASUN home game for Bellarmine (0-8, 0-3 ASUN), which got 19 points and nine rebounds from senior forward Lauren Deel. Sophomore guard Ashlee Harris chipped in 11 points against FGCU (8-2, 1-0) while junior forward Sheniqua Coatney, making her first career start with Bellarmine, corralled eight rebounds. Junior guard Kathleen Scott grabbed seven rebounds and had a pair of steals.

Tishara Morehouse racked up a game-high 25 points for Florida Gulf Coast, which had not competed since Dec. 21 after a pandemic-related pause. Kierstan Bell collected 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and Emma List tallied seven steals and six assists for the Eagles in their ASUN opener. FGCU attempted 38 3-pointers, hitting 13.

"They're the No. 1 team in the league for a reason," Knights Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "They have a lot of pieces they can go to. It seems like everybody on their team can shoot the 3."

Bellarmine had encouraging starts to both halves, trailing only 17-14 after the first quarter and taking an 18-17 lead early in the second period after consecutive baskets by Deel. The Knights trailed by six midway through the frame, but the Eagles took a commanding 38-22 halftime lead behind a 17-0 run.

Bellarmine regrouped at the intermission and sliced its deficit to 11 after a 3-pointer by senior guard Tasia Jeffries with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. However, FGCU had a strong counter once again, bridging the third and fourth periods with a 19-4 run to pull away for good.

"I thought we ran a lot of good stuff against them. I thought we were looking for each other," Dugan said. "We'd have one or two minutes of a lapse, and they took advantage of it. And that's what really good teams do. We've got to have that concentration for just a little longer."

Bellarmine will host FGCU once again at 2 p.m. (ET) Sunday in Freedom Hall.

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