RICHMOND, Ky.--Conference foes Bellarmine and Eastern Kentucky faced off on the hardwood, and the teams turned in another hard-fought competitive game.  

After the Knights won in thrilling fashion on Thursday in Freedom Hall, the host Colonels closed out tonight's game with a strong finish to take a 73-63 victory at Baptist Health Arena in Alumni Coliseum.
 
The game was close throughout, but Eastern turned in a 16-7 run in the final 4:56 to take the 10-point victory. In doing so, the Colonels flipped the script on the Knights.  On Thursday, Bellarmine closed with 13-3 run in the last five minutes to capture the win.
 
Tonight, the Knights burned the nets for 58 percent shooting in the first half but cooled to just 34 percent in the second period as Bellarmine launched 17 of their 22 3-point attempts after halftime.
 
However, Bellarmine Head Coach Scott Davenport said the key to the game was rebounding. "In the first half, they outrebound us by one and it's a two point game," he said. "At the under eight (timeout) they are up four rebounds for the game, and the score is tied. They end up plus-nine rebounds for the game, and we lose by 10 points."
 
Eastern (14-9, 7-3 ASUN) got a 22-point and 13-rebound performance from Devontae Blanton to lead the way.  The Colonels, who finished with a 37-28 rebounding advantage, also got 20 points off the bench from Leland Walker.
 
The Knights (10-13, 5-5 ASUN) were paced by Garrett Tipton with 17 points while Juston Betz added 13 points and seven rebounds.  Other top producers for Bellarmine were Peter Suder, who tallied 10 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Alec Pfriem turned in a solid stat line with nine points, six boards and five assists.
 
Bellarmine returns home for its next two games, entertaining ASUN co-leader Kennesaw State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Jacksonville State on Saturday at 4 p.m.
 
Davenport said the importance of the games can't be understated due to the time of the year. "I told the team, the next game we play it will be February, and that's all you need to say."
 
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