HIGH POINT, N.C. – Ben Johnson scored a career-high 32 points, but Bellarmine dropped their nonconference finale to High Point, 90-85, at Qubein Arena Saturday night.

Johnson finished the game shooting 60% (12-for-20) and 2-for-5 from three. The 12 field goals were also a career high. The sophomore guard's total surpassed his previous career high of 31 against Alice Lloyd on Dec. 4, 2022 and was the highest point total by a Knight this season.
Johnson received his first starting nod since returning from a hip injury on Dec. 16. He averaged just 4.7 points in three games off the bench entering tonight's game.

Both teams shot well during the high-octane contest—Bellarmine 50% and High Point 52.6%. High Point was able to sustain Bellarmine's peskiness, however, en route to their eighth straight home win to start the season.

The Panthers (11-4) needed a three by Kezza Giffa with two seconds left in a fast-paced first half to take a 50-47 lead into the locker room. There were six lead changes in the first 20 minutes, though Bellarmine (4-11) only led for 42 total seconds.

During the second half, the Knights cut the lead to one on a Peter Suder jumper with 14:28 left. High Point's advantage later ballooned to 11 on a layup by Duke Miles with 8:33 left. Bellarmine would not fold, however, cutting the lead to three points three times in the final 1:23. A pair of buckets by Kimani Hamilton and a pair of free throws by Trae Benham would ice the game for the Panthers.

Peter Suder scored 18 on 7-of-11 shooting and added a team-high six assists.

Alec Pfriem added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting and hit a team-high three threes in his return to action. The senior guard missed the previous five games after suffering a concussion.

Langdon Hatton entered tonight's game having scored double digits in six straight games, but the junior big man only dropped in four points against the Panthers. He also grabbed five rebounds and swatted three shots, matching a career high now done three times.

Hamilton led the Panthers with 23 points, three steals and two blocks. Reigning Big South Freshman of the Week Juslin Bodo Bodo chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds. The seven-footer was one rebound short of consecutive double-doubles.

The Knights continue to battle the injury bug. Despite playing a team-high 37 minutes, Garrett Tipton had limited mobility due to a rolled ankle sustained earlier in the week. Bellarmine was also without Dezmond McKinney for the first time this season and without Bash Wieland for the third straight game with a broken finger.

The Knights begin Atlantic Sun conference play on Thursday, Jan. 4 at Freedom Hall against Austin Peay (7-8). Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and ESPN+ will have the coverage.

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