LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Four players scored in double figures and Liberty commanded the second half in defeating the Bellarmine University men's basketball team 66-53 Thursday in ASUN action in Freedom Hall.

In a matinee contest that was moved up from an evening tip-off due to the threat of inclement weather, Liberty (16-7, 7-1 ASUN) broke free of Bellarmine (13-10, 7-2) after a 25-all deadlock at halftime by outscoring the Knights 41-28 in the second half.

With less than two minutes left before the intermission, Bellarmine held a 25-19 lead and had a pair of chances to extend the advantage to nine before missing 3-point attempts. In the final minute, Liberty's Kyle Rode converted an old-fashioned three-point play and, following a Knights turnover, reigning ASUN Player of the Year Darius McGhee crossed midcourt and buried a deep, tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

"Honestly, we never recovered," Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport said of the waning minutes of the first half. "They're an incredibly balanced basketball team. You have to give them credit. They won the little moments today."

McGhee opened the second half by sinking a 3-pointer, and Liberty led the rest of the way. Bellarmine was still within six at 50-44 with 6:12 left, but the Flames took control for good with a 10-1 run in the marquee ASUN matchup.

"They had their way tempo-wise," Davenport said. "When they get ahead eight, they might as well be ahead 20. That's tough."

Liberty shot 54.2 percent in the second half while limiting Bellarmine to 37 percent in the final stanza. The Knights were just 5-for-22 overall (22.7 percent) from 3-point range despite having plenty of open looks.

"Obviously, I haven't been outside, but I can speak to being cold," Davenport said. "Offense provides you with opportunities, but it doesn't make shots for you."

Senior guard CJ Fleming led Bellarmine with 14 points, senior forward Ethan Claycomb added 11 and senior guard Dylan Penn chipped in 10. Freshman forward Curt Hopf grabbed eight rebounds, and senior guard Juston Betz tallied six boards.

Shiloh Robinson posted a double-double with game highs of 17 points and 12 rebounds for Liberty. Rode notched 14 points while McGhee and Keegan McDowell contributed 13 apiece.

Bellarmine will host Kennesaw State at 7 p.m. (ET) Saturday in Freedom Hall.

"They're the most improved team in the league, without a doubt," Davenport said.

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