The William Jewell College women's basketball team returned to action tonight after nearly a month long lay off as they hosted Bellarmine University in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.  The Knights overcame a late charge from the Cardinals to win 78-75.
 
The win keeps the Knights undefeated at 8-0 and 3-0 in GLVC play.  The Cardinals fall to 5-9 overall and 0-3 in the GLVC.
 
In the first quarter the Cardinals came out on fire and built a 21-14 lead off a three pointer from Megan Paul. 
 
Bellarmine then went on a 8-0 run to take a brief 22-21 lead.  Blair Klostermann hit two free throws to put Jewell back up 23-22 as the first quarter ended.
 
The action went back and forth in the second quarter and the Knights took the lead at the three minute mark of the quarter off a lay up from Sarah Galvin who led all scores in the first half with 18 points.  Bellarmine's Beth Bowers banked in three just before half gave the Knights a 40-36 advantage at halftime.
 
The Cardinals came out on a 4-0 run to tie things up at 40 in the first minute of the third quarter.  Bellarmine then was able to build back lead of six and then extended the lead to nine on a three by Whitney Hartlage which gave the Knights a 63-52 lead after three quarters of play. 
 
The Knights had a nine point lead midway through the fourth only to see Jewell come back and tie the game 73-73 on a three pointer by Paul.  Chris Keys kept the game tied 75-75
 
The Knights' Mackenzie Martinez hit a lay up and was fouled with 15 seconds to play.  She missed her free throw and Bellarmine got the rebound and was fouled.  The Knights failed to convert the two free throws and Keys was fouled again with four seconds to play trailing by two.  Keys was unable to convert the free throws and Bellarmine came away with the three point victory. 
 
Four Cardinals scored in double figures led by Maddie Nelson's 18.  Klostermann chipped in 17, while Keys and Madison Campbell finished with 17 and 12 respectively.
 
Galvin led the Knights with a game high 26 points. 
 
 The Cardinals will continue GLVC play on Saturday as they host University of Southern Indiana at 1:00 p.m.