LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It would have been natural for the Bellarmine University women's basketball to have the urge to look ahead.

The fact that the Knights could look in their rearview mirror with satisfaction after a 76-49 victory over Franklin (Ind.) College on Monday night in Freedom Hall was an indicator they were focused on the task at hand.

After taking care of business against the Grizzlies, Bellarmine (4-6) can now look forward to its much-anticipated matchup with crosstown Louisville at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Wednesday in Freedom Hall, the former home of the Cardinals. The teams haven't met in Freedom Hall since December of 1999.

One of Bellarmine's challenges Monday was to keep Louisville in the back of its mind and Franklin in the forefront. The Knights didn't appear the least bit distracted, building a 25-14 lead after one quarter and 46-24 advantage at halftime.

Particularly in the first half, Bellarmine exploited its advantages and strengths. The Knights' frontcourt combined to go 14-for-17 from the field over the first two quarters, leading to 64.0-percent shooting before the break. Bellarmine had a plus-14 rebounding advantage and held Franklin to below 30-percent shooting before the intermission.

"Our height advantage was probably 5 or 6 inches against most every player," Knights Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "I was proud that we stayed discipline and did the things we needed to do. We stayed focused on defense."

In a little over 21 minutes of action, senior forward Cam Browning flirted with a triple-double before finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to go along with three blocks and three steals for the Knights, who have won three of their last four games. Freshman center Gracie Merkle was equally potent, hitting 10-of-12 shots while producing game highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds. It was her sixth straight double-double, and she tacked on three blocks.

"I thought our inside game was just really dominant tonight, as it should have been," Dugan said.

Junior guard Claire Knies registered four assists as Bellarmine amassed 20 helpers on 28 made baskets. Senior forward Sheniqua Coatney hauled in seven rebounds while sophomore guard Hayley Harrison, junior forward Lucy Robertson and junior guard Mackenzie Keelin tallied five boards each for the Knights, who posted a 50-32 rebounding advantage.

Bellarmine shot 49.1 percent for the game while limiting Franklin to 28.8 percent from the field. The Knights piled up 11 blocks to tie a Division I-era program record.

Bellarmine can now turn its full attention to Louisville.

"It's exciting, and I think it's exciting for (U of L)," Dugan said. "Freedom Hall is just so historic. I don't think there's anybody that's grown up in Louisville that doesn't have a favorite memory here, whether it's a concert, basketball, rodeo — it doesn't matter."

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