LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team will split Atlantic Sun Conference road and home games this week, as the Knights will make the short trip to Nashville, Tennessee, for a 6 p.m. (ET) contest Thursday with Lipscomb before welcoming Eastern Kentucky to Knights Hall for a 1 p.m. showdown Saturday.

The matchup with Lipscomb (15-8, 8-4 ASUN) is the first after a season-long four-game homestand for Bellarmine (14-11, 5-7). Although the Knights follow by hosting Eastern Kentucky (16-9, 6-6), the contest with the Bisons initiates a stretch of four road outings over the final six regular-season games.

Lipscomb, Bellarmine and Eastern Kentucky are the three highest-scoring teams in the ASUN. The Knights and Bisons are meeting in the first of two contests this season, while BU and EKU are squaring off for the second time this year. Saturday will be the Knights' Pink Game.

ABOUT LIPSCOMB
Lipscomb began ASUN play 5-1 and currently sits in third place in the conference at 8-4. The Bisons swept their two games last week, defeating West Georgia 92-75 at home and Austin Peay 65-59 on the road. Statistically, Lipscomb boasts the ASUN's most potent offense. The Bisons lead the conference in scoring (75.2), field-goal percentage (44.2), free-throw percentage (76.2) and total 3-pointers made (225) while ranking second in 3-point percentage (34.3). Lipscomb has two scorers in the league's top 10 in guard/forward Bella Vinson (fifth, 14.5) and guard Claira McGowan (ninth, 13.6) and another in the top 20 in guard Molly Heard (17th, 12.1). Somewhat surprisingly since it leads the ASUN in total 3-pointers made, Lipscomb has only one individual in the top 10 (guard Jalyn Holcomb ranks fifth with 49), but the Bisons have three more occupying the Nos. 12-14 slots in the league, all in the 36-40 range of triples made. In addition, guard Ainhoa Cea ranks second in the conference in assists (4.2).

FIRST GAME VS. EKU
Bellarmine and Eastern Kentucky previously met Jan. 18 in Richmond, with the Colonels capturing a 91-75 victory. EKU's output tied for the most points the Knights have allowed in ASUN play. The Colonels led by as many as 19 in the second quarter, but Bellarmine chopped the deficit to three by the fourth. Once there, EKU pulled away behind a 9-0 run. Senior forward Skylar Treadwell racked up a career-high 24 points with 15 rebounds for the Knights, while senior guard Ashlee Harris contributed 17 points. EKU shot 50 percent from the field, and guard Alice Recanati paced five Colonels in double figures with 23 points.

EKU OVERALL
Eastern Kentucky pushed FGCU, which is undefeated in ASUN play, to the brink before falling 68-65 at home in its most recent contest. The Colonels, who lead off this week at Queens, preceded the narrow setback to FGCU with three straight wins culminating with a 77-70 victory over Stetson. EKU ranks third in the ASUN in scoring offense (73.1) while topping the league in assists (16.0). The Colonels are led by a pair of guards who are equally adept at scoring and passing in Kaitlyn Costner (12.9 ppg., 3.7 apg.) and Alice Recanati (12.5 ppg., 4.2 apg.). Recanati is the ASUN assists leader while Costner ranks fifth.

LAST WEEK
Bellarmine is in the midst of a three-game skid and looking to get back on track after falling 74-57 to FGCU and 87-84 in overtime to Stetson last week. The latter was especially disappointing for the Knights, who felt they had ample opportunity to secure a win over the Hatters in regulation time, let alone in the extra session. Senior guard Hope Sivori flirted with a triple-double against the Hatters, piling up 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, not to mention five steals. Treadwell poured in 23 points against her former team while senior guard Hayley Harrison recorded her first double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

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