LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With the calendar flipping to 2025, the Bellarmine University women's basketball team will open Atlantic Sun Conference play by hosting North Alabama at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Thursday and Central Arkansas at 2 p.m. Saturday in Knights Hall.
The nine nonconference wins Bellarmine (9-4) amassed — which is a Division I-era program record — tied for second in the ASUN with reigning champion FGCU, with Eastern Kentucky just ahead at 10 victories. North Alabama enters conference action at 5-6 while Central Arkansas is 6-5.
ABOUT NORTH ALABAMA
Bellarmine will look to get off on the right foot in ASUN action against a squad that has largely had its number in the D1 era. North Alabama owns a six-game winning streak against the Knights, with five of those victories coming by double digits. The Lions, under new head coach Candi Whitaker, completed their nonconference slate Saturday with an 84-54 home win over NAIA Bethel. That stopped a three-game skid, all by single digits. North Alabama ranks first in the ASUN in rebounding margin (+7.5) and third in field-goal percentage defense (.396). Guard Charity Gallegos leads the team and is ninth in the ASUN in scoring (13.0) while ranking fourth in the league in assists (4.2). Gallegos has registered 13 points or more in all but three games. Forward Cameron Jones is also scoring in double figures (10.1).
ABOUT CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Central Arkansas, which was picked second in the ASUN preseason coaches' poll behind defending champion FGCU, will host Jacksonville on Thursday ahead of its matchup with Bellarmine. The Sugar Bears will enter ASUN play after having dropped three straight contests, most recently 87-70 at the SEC's Arkansas. Like North Alabama, Central Arkansas' defense has impressed, topping the ASUN in field-goal percentage defense (.369) and blocks (4.6) while ranking second in scoring defense (60.4) and fourth in rebounding margin (+3.6). The Sugar Bears have complemented that output with solid shooting numbers, ranking third in the conference in field-goal percentage (.422) and second in both 3-point percentage (.337) and 3-pointers made per game (8.6). Guard Jade Upshaw is the ASUN's third-leading scorer (15.6) and has recorded 18 points or more six times. Forward and ASUN Preseason co-Defensive Player of the Year Bree Stephens is tied for the league lead in total blocks (20).
LEADERBOARD FOR BU
Entering conference action, Bellarmine is the ASUN leader in scoring offense (75.1), free-throw percentage (.745), 3-point percentage (.349) and 3-point percentage defense (.262). The Knights are second in turnover margin (+4.62) and third in steals (9.3). Senior guard
Hope Sivori is the ASUN leader in 3-pointers made (33) and free-throw percentage (.917) and ranks sixth in steals (1.8), seventh in assists (3.5) and 11th in scoring (12.6). Senior guard
Hayley Harrison ranks fourth in scoring (14.7) and seventh in free-throw percentage (.769). Senior forward
Skylar Treadwell ranks fourth in the ASUN in rebounding (7.4) and has been the Knights' leader on the boards in six straight games.
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