LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was not the real thing, but it was the next closest thing as the Bellarmine men's basketball team hosted in-state foe Centre for their only preseason exhibition Wednesday night at Knights Hall.
 
Doug Davenport & Co. handled their visitors from Danville, 83-59, in a tune-up before they head to the Peach State to face Georgia in their season opener and Davenport's head coaching debut Monday.
 
A pair of transfer incomers led the way for the Knights as junior forward Donovan Hunter (Kent State) poured in 17 points and senior forward Brian Waddell (Purdue) scored 15. Returning sophomore Kenyon Goodin also finished in double digits with 10 for the Knights, who shot 47.0 percent for the game to Centre's 36.7 percent. Fifth-year guard Darrius Bolden (UW-Stevens Point) scored just two points, but added four boards, three assists and three steals.
 
Centre played 22 players and were led by Kalib Thomas' seven points.
 
Bellarmine outscored Centre 42-18 in the paint, forced 10 more turnovers than they committed and won the battle on the glass 41-32.
 
Monday night, the Knights and Bulldogs are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+, ESPN 680/105.7 and ESPNLouisville.com.
 
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