LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Having worked in a makeup game on Monday, the Bellarmine Knights men's basketball team now is in the midst of its ASUN Conference "crossover" schedule, meaning that the Knights' next five opponents will be from the East Division of the league.
 
The first crossover game was held this past Saturday night as the Knights turned back Jacksonville in overtime at Freedom Hall.  This week, Bellarmine is on the road to face two Florida schools: Stetson (on Thursday) and Florida Gulf Coast University (on Saturday).
 
The Hatters (8-11, 2-4 ASUN) enter Thursday's game fresh off snapping a three-game losing streak as Christiaan Jones made a last-second layup to lift Stetson to a 67-65 win at North Alabama.
 
Without the services of leading scorer Rob Perry since Jan. 9, Jones--along with Chase Johnston, the 2021 ASUN Freshman of the Year--have carried more of the scoring load for the Hatters.  Alvin Tumblin, a 6-7 freshman also has picked up the scoring, averaging 17 a game over Stetson's last two contests.
 
Guard Stephen Swenson has continued to set up the Hatters' scorers and ranks second in the ASUN in assists at 5.2 per game.
 
Coached by Pikeville grad Donnie Jones, the Hatters eliminated the Knights in last year's ASUN Conference Tournament after Bellarmine had won the teams' two regular season meetings.
 
Like the Knights, Stetson advanced to the semifinals of last year's postseason CBI Tournament.
 
Bellarmine takes an 11-9 (5-1 ASUN) record into Thursday's game after getting tripped up 65-60 at Jacksonville State on Monday.  
 
Reigning ASUN Player of the Week Dylan Penn continues to lead the Knights on the offensive end, ranking third in the conference in both scoring (17.6 ppg) and assists (5.1 apg).
 
Penn's backcourt mates, graduate students Juston Betz and CJ Fleming, have also been consistent contributors for the Knights. Betz leads the team and ranks third in the ASUN with a rebounding average of seven per game. Fleming is the second-leading scorer on the team at 12.5 per game and is leading the country in free throw shooting at 96.2 percent.  He also ranks second in the ASUN in assist to turnover ratio at 3:1.
 
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