LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It was another stellar performance offensively for the Bellarmine University women's basketball team, and this time it resulted in a victory.

Behind 50 combined points from freshman center Gracie Merkle and senior forward Sheniqua Coatney, the Knights triumphed 85-77 Saturday over Eastern Kentucky in ASUN action in Freedom Hall.

Bellarmine (5-13, 1-4 ASUN) notched its first conference win of the season in its second straight game against Eastern Kentucky (10-8, 3-2), which won Wednesday's contest in Baptist Health Arena by an almost identical score, 85-79.

"I'm so proud of these kids," Knights Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "What a phenomenal effort after enduring a losing streak and staying focused, staying with the game plan and being locked into what we're doing. I can't be prouder of them."

Bellarmine's two highest-scoring games of the season came in the two contests against Eastern Kentucky, with the Knights setting a new benchmark Saturday. Bellarmine shot 52.6 percent overall, its best outing thus far in ASUN play.

"When they trust each other and believe like they have in the last couple games, I think that's what we can see," Dugan said.

Following a 32-point, 18-rebound effort Wednesday against EKU, Merkle piled up game highs of 26 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks Saturday while hitting 10 of her 13 shots. It was the 11th double-double of the season for the four-time ASUN Freshman of the Week.

Coatney had one of the best performances of her career after registering a season-high 24 points on 6-for-8 shooting while adding nine rebounds, which tied a season best, and three blocks. Coatney was outstanding from the free-throw line, sinking 12 of her 14 attempts from the charity stripe.

Sophomore guard Hayley Harrison chipped in 14 points while freshman guard Miyah Brown distributed a game-high six assists along with contributing eight points and six rebounds. Junior guard Mackenzie Keelin provided a huge lift off the bench in the second half by burying all three of her 3-point attempts, every one of them crucial.

"Those were huge, huge for us," Dugan said of Keelin's trifectas. "She really came up huge for us tonight."

Antwainette Walker scored a team-high 19 points for Eastern Kentucky, but she was only 7-for-24 from the floor and four of her made field goals came in the first quarter. Behind junior guard Claire Knies, Bellarmine also limited Marissa Mackins, a first-team ASUN All-Conference selection last season at North Florida, to nine points on 2-for-12 shooting. It was the first time in 10 games this season Mackins was held below double figures.

Just as in the first game between the two teams, the latest contest was tight throughout with 11 lead changes and seven ties. Bellarmine trailed 73-69 with 5:28 left, but Harrison responded with a 3-pointer and then spotted Coatney for the go-ahead basket.

Bellarmine led the rest of the way. The Knights missed some critical free throws down the stretch, but they also hit some crucial shots as Brown and Harrison both nailed jumpers in the last two minutes, with Harrison's bucket pushing the lead to 81-75 with 51 seconds left en route to the win.

Bellarmine trailed 20-16 after one quarter but outscored EKU 25-20 in the second to gain a 41-40 lead at halftime. It remained close after three periods, with the Knights holding a 64-61 advantage.

Bellarmine finished with a 51-37 advantage on the boards and outscored EKU 36-28 in the paint. Although the Knights attempted 16 less 3-pointers than the Colonels, the teams were even at six makes each from deep. BU canned six of its 12 looks from long range.

Bellarmine will host North Florida at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Thursday.

"At midnight, this game's over," Dugan said, "and it's on to North Florida."

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