LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Despite nearly three double-double performances, the Bellarmine University women's basketball team was edged 64-56 by Kennesaw State on Saturday in ASUN action in Freedom Hall.

Freshman center Gracie Merkle did post a double-double — her ninth of the season — after amassing game highs of 14 points and 16 rebounds for Bellarmine (4-12, 0-3 ASUN). Senior forward Sheniqua Coatney, who had 10 points and nine rebounds, and junior forward Lucy Robertson, who chipped in seven points and nine boards, were also in the double-double vicinity against Kennesaw State (6-8, 2-1).

"We'll get there," Knights Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "This team comes every day and tries to get better. They're fun to coach, they're good kids, phenomenal students. We've just got to get over that hump.

"I thought our post did a really, really good job. That's what we want. They really solidified what we can do if they'll bring that type of effort every single game."

The shooting totals were relatively similar, although Kennesaw State hit four more 3-pointers than Bellarmine. The main distinction came in the turnover column. The Knights committed 20 and the Owls capitalized with a 19-0 advantage in points off turnovers. KSU had half as many giveaways as BU, registering 10.

Amani Johnson led four double-figure scorers with 13 points for Kennesaw State, which led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before Bellarmine trimmed the deficit to seven at 31-24 by the intermission. The Knights rallied to within two in the third quarter, but the Owls maintained a seven-point lead even after Merkle converted a putback to end the period.

Sophomore guard Hayley Harrison opened the fourth quarter by scoring five of her 13 points inside the first minute, and her 3-pointer cut the deficit to 47-45. Kennesaw State was solid but not overwhelming from 3-point range (7-for-18); however, Johnson and Carly Hooks sank huge, back-to-back trifectas to restore an eight-point cushion for the Owls with 6:30 left.

Bellarmine continued to battle, but the Knights couldn't get the deficit below six. BU finished with a 46-39 rebounding edge and had an 18-7 advantage in second-chance points. The Knights were also 15-for-17 from the free-throw line.

"We've got to get better," Dugan said. "I've got to do a better job coaching. Every time we lose, it's on me. I've got to coach them harder, and we've got to be more intentional with what we're doing.

"We're doing a good job rebounding the ball. We've got to keep that effort up, because in the third quarter (Kennesaw State) really started rebounding and extended their lead because of it. We've got to make sure we're tougher in those situations."

Harrison and junior guard Claire Knies distributed four assists apiece. Harrison and Coatney notched three steals each, and Merkle collected two blocks.

Bellarmine will play at 7 p.m. (ET) Wednesday at Eastern Kentucky.

"This was a very tough week for us, but I thought we learned a lot," Dugan said. "We had three games in a six-day span — two on the road, a plane trip and a six-hour bus trip. We'll learn from this and get better from it. …Eastern is very good, very athletic, and it's going to be a battle."

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