LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team went toe-to-toe with reigning Atlantic Sun Conference champion FGCU in the first half Wednesday in Freedom Hall, but the Eagles were able to control the second half in pulling away for a 72-55 win over the Knights.

Karl Smesko earned his 600th win as the head coach of FGCU (18-4, 8-0 ASUN), which remained undefeated in conference play. The Eagles outscored the Knights 38-27 in the second half.

Sophomore guard Miyah Brown tallied a team-high 17 points, and junior guard Hayley Harrison added 10 for Bellarmine (6-14, 1-7). Sophomore guard Jayla Butler registered seven points, seven rebounds and three steals, while junior guard Hope Sivori distributed six assists and collected four steals.

Bellarmine trailed 13-2 at the outset and 17-8 after one quarter, but the Knights got settled in the second and used an 18-9 run to knot the score at 26 after Brown's traditional three-point play. Butler scored seven points during the rally.

FGCU managed to inch ahead for a 34-28 lead at halftime. The Eagles followed with their decisive stretch of play, hitting 8-of-11 shots from the field and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line in the third quarter while outscoring the Knights 23-14 in the stanza. BU was within seven with 2:50 left in the period, but FGCU ended the frame on a 9-1 run.

FGCU kept Bellarmine at bay in the fourth. While the Eagles are known for their perimeter prowess, they were most effective from close range Wednesday, owning a 38-18 advantage in points in the paint. Emani Jefferson paced the team with 18 points and Sofia Persson added 17.

Bellarmine will now travel to Florida for the second straight week as the Knights will play at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday at Stetson.

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