ATHENS, Ga. – Jack Karasinski picked up where he left off last season in his first go-round with Bellarmine, dropping 23 points in the Knights' season opener Monday night at Georgia. The senior forward's output would not be enough, however, as Bellarmine fell 104-59 at Stegemen Coliseum.
 
Karasinski, who averaged 15.4 points as a junior in his first season at Bellarmine, hit 10 of 17 field goal attempts, including 3 of 7 from three. He led all scorers with his 23 points and also led all rebounders with eight, more than he pulled down in any single game last season.
 
While the contest leaves head coach Doug Davenport still looking for his first career win after his debut, the victory for Georgia head coach Mike White was the 300th of his career (101 at Louisiana Tech, 142 at Florida, 57 at Georgia).
 
Karasinski scored the first eight points for the Knights, hitting a pair of treys and a layup to help Bellarmine to an early 8-4 lead. That, however, would be the largest lead for the Knights.
 
The rest of the first half included Georgia runs of 11-0, 9-0 and 9-0 as they took a 20-point lead into the break at 49-29. The Knights held the Bulldogs to 5-for-17 (29.4 percent) shooting from outside in the first half, but two of those treys by Kanon Catchings and Jeremiah Wilkinson went for four-point plays.
 
The Knights made things interesting to start the second half, going on an 11-3 run to cut the lead to 14 at 54-40. Nine of those 11 points came from Karasinski. A few moments later with the Knights trailing 57-43, though, the Bulldogs rattled off an 18-0 run, getting to the rim for six layups and dunks in the process.
 
Bellarmine would not threaten again at Georgia outscored their guests 55-30 after the break en route to the 45-point win.
 
The Bulldogs' size gave the Knights fits as UGA outscored BU 58-30 in the paint. Overall, Georgia shot 60.4 percent on two-point attempts and outrebounded Bellarmine 38-29.
 
Blue Cain and Wilkinson matched each other with a team-high 15 points for Georgia. Jake Wilkins, the son of NBA legend and former Bulldog Dominique Wilkins, added 12.
 
Sam Donald, Grant Neal and Dominique Murphy each made their collegiate debuts and scored their first career points for the Knights. Transfers Donovan Hunter (9 points), Brian Waddell (7) and Michael Wilson Jr. (5) also scored their first points for Bellarmine.
 
It will be another tough road test coming up for Bellarmine as head coach Doug Davenport gets his second chance at his first career win. The Knights visit Kansas State Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
 
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow the Knights on X, Instagram and Facebook.