By GREG MENGELT
The Knights are now 16-11 overall and 10-3 in conference play. They’re now tied with Jacksonville State (17-9, 10-3), which is Bellarmine’s opponent at Freedom Hall on Sunday at 7 p.m., with three games left in the regular season.
The Knights took the lead for good on a jumper by senior guard CJ Fleming at 14-13 with 8:18 left in the first half, but the Bears didn’t go away. Central Arkansas nearly eliminated a 5-point halftime deficit to get within 32-31 with 17:05 to go the contest.
A 3-pointer by former Providence star Juston Betz kickstarted a 22-12 run that help Bellarmime clinch its third straight win. Betz had a big another night with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. He was 4 for 7 from the field and made three of his four 3-point attempts.
Senior guard Dylan Penn (Evansville/Memorial) led the Knights with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals and Fleming (Cincinnati) contributed 20 points and four boards.
Central Arkansas (8-17, 5-7 A-Sun) was led by freshman guard Camren Hunter, who had 25 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Sunday’s showdown with Jacksonville State will air on ESPN Plus. The Gamecocks had lost two straight before a 78-67 victory at Lipscomb on Wednesday evening.
