LOUISVILLE, Ky. — North Alabama used a game-changing run to end the third quarter en route to a 66-49 win over the Bellarmine University women's basketball team Sunday afternoon in ASUN action in Freedom Hall.

With 4:46 left in the third period, Bellarmine (8-20, 4-11 ASUN) trailed North Alabama 34-33 after a basket by senior forward Sheniqua Coatney, but the Lions (11-14, 6-8) outscored the Knights 17-4 over the last four minutes of the stanza.

"We were doing some really nice things, but when (sophomore guard) Haley Harrison went down (with an injury in the third quarter), I think it rattled us," Bellarmine Coach Chancellor Dugan said. "I think just her presence out there gives us a little bit of a calming effect. Plus, she's a great scorer for us. You take that off of the defensive and offensive side, it's pretty tough to come back from."

Indeed, Bellarmine never recovered from UNA's late-quarter run in the third despite a standout performance from Coatney, who was honored on Senior Day and played inspired while scoring a game-high 22 points behind 10-for-14 shooting from the floor. Freshman guard Miyah Brown was the Knights' second-leading scorer with eight points while junior guard Claire Knies had three steals.

"I thought Shaq played a great game," Dugan said. "I thought Claire was an unsung hero out there. She got a bunch of steals and got in there and did a good job."

Ball security and rebounding were Bellarmine's biggest issues. The Knights committed 22 turnovers to the 12 of the Lions, who piled up 12 steals, led by eight from Skyler Gill. UNA also hauled in 16 offensive rebounds. Consequently, BU outshot North Alabama 48.7 percent to 37.7 percent from the floor, but the Lions attempted 22 more shots.

"If we're not scoring, if we're not getting shots, we can't turn the ball over," Dugan said. 

Perimeter shooting was also a major factor. North Alabama managed to hit 10 of its 31 opportunities from the 3-point line, while Bellarmine missed its only four shots from beyond the arc. The Knights had an advantage in points in the paint, but it wasn't significant at 32-26.

Bellarmine trailed 20-14 after the first quarter but cut the deficit to 24-23 at halftime after limiting North Alabama to only four points in the period. The Knights held a pair of leads in the third quarter and neither teams' advantage got above three before the Lions took control inside the last four minutes of the stanza.

Jade Moore sank four of North Alabama's 3-pointers in scoring a team-high 16 points. Emma Kate Tittle added 15 points while Hina Suzuki distributed six assists.

Bellarmine will play at 7 p.m. (ET) Thursday at Liberty.

"We've got to regroup and see what we can do on the road," Dugan said.

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