Bellarmine men鈥檚 basketball gets first win at DI level over Howard, looks for more
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BVM) — When Bellarmine University was granted entry into the Division I level on July 1, it knew that it would be a bit of an uphill battle for its 22 varsity sports to make the adjustment to the new competition. Difficulties due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the situation as teams and programs found their practices and seasons in flux. Even with these struggles, the Bellarmine Knights men鈥檚 basketball team knew it had something to prove when it took the Division I court for the first time.
鈥淚f it was great for Bellarmine University, it was going to be great for Bellarmine basketball,鈥� Knights head coach Scott Davenport said. 鈥淚f playing teams like Duke and we were scheduled to play UCLA and that was great for Bellarmine basketball that would be great for Bellarmine University.鈥�
The Knights have been dominant over the past decade at the Division II level, becoming one of the many reasons Bellarmine felt comfortable with the attempted jump in competition. The Knights have posted at least 20 wins and made the Division II NCAA tournament in each of the past 12 seasons while also going to the Final Four four times and winning the Division II national championship during the 2010-2011 season. The move seemingly was a long time coming for the men鈥檚 basketball team as it has been ranked in the top five in the National Association of Basketball Coaches鈥� Division II poll each of the past 10 years including being ranked No. 1 in four of those seasons (2010-11, 2011-12, 2018-19, 2019-20).
鈥淭here鈥檚 been offers and there鈥檚 been looks, but I had come to grips that I would never be a head coach at Division I. The last timeout I ever took would be at Bellarmine,鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淲ell, the last timeout at all likelihood will be at Bellarmine, but it will be as a Division I coach. But, this wasn鈥檛 about me. It was about this program, this university, our community, our players, everybody in these 15 years that contributed to this absolutely incredible journey.鈥�
However, the introduction of the Knights to the Division I level would be in a trial by fire form thanks to the pandemic as Bellarmine would play its first game at the top level against perennial power Duke University at Cameron Indoor Stadium, one of the best home court advantages in the country, on Dec. 4. While the Blue Devils may not have had their typical aid of the 鈥淐ameron Crazies鈥� student fan section, beating Duke at home would still be a tall task for the new DI member.
Knights have arrived 鈿旓笍
Can鈥檛 wait til tip-off
— Bellarmine Men鈥檚 Basketball (@BUKnightsMBB)
The Knights were competitive against the Blue Devils in the first half, getting as close as 28-25 with 2:35 left in the half, but they would not be able to hang around. The Blue Devils would take a 35-25 lead into half time and would go on to handle the Knights easily in a 76-54 victory. Although a loss, it was not a devastating one for the Knights as a win against Duke would鈥檝e been considered a widely unexpected upset.
鈥淚 was thrilled for our players,鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淚t was absolutely astounding how great that experience was. For our players, it鈥檚 a memory of a lifetime. 鈥� It was a great experience and it only bodes well in recruiting for this program and the exposure for this program. But I go back to the players. They鈥檙e never going to forget about that in their lifetime.鈥�
For its next Division I matchup, the Knights would face a slightly easier task against Howard University at Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 6. Out to prove they were up to the task at competing at the next level, the Knights would show their abilities with gusto.
The team notched its first-ever Division I victory, with four Knights scoring in double figures, in the 84-63 win over the Bison. The win marked the first in DI for any Bellarmine team formerly associated with Division II.
鈥淚 wanted to stand back as far as I could and watch our players,鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淚 wanted to watch them because that鈥檚 not a paycheck you put in a bank, but an emotional paycheck that鈥檒l I鈥檒l cash a lifetime watching them experience that. The first Division I victory in the history of our school. 鈥� It was incredible. I鈥檓 proud of them.鈥�
Never going to forget this W
— Bellarmine Men鈥檚 Basketball (@BUKnightsMBB)
The Knights would take a 7-6 lead at the 16:21 mark of the first half, the first time the program ever had a lead in a Division I contest, and would not relinquish it. During the game, the Knights shot 52.7 percent with 20 assists on 29 field goals while also outrebounding the Bison 42-23.
Knights junior guard Dylan Penn registered the first 20 point Division I game in program history by scoring a team-high 22 points. Sophomore guard Alex Pfriem also made history when he notched 14 points and 14 rebounds for his first career double-double and the program鈥檚 first double-double at the Division I level.
VICTORY MOOD 馃槑
馃幎 Takin' Care of Business馃幎
— Bellarmine Men鈥檚 Basketball (@BUKnightsMBB)
While the team has been able to revel in its milestone victory, the Knights know there will be more feats to conquer. In its first Division I home game against Chattanooga on Dec. 9 in the program鈥檚 new stadium, Freedom Hall, in the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, the team had to battle in an unknown environment. Freedom Hall provides the Knights with a true Division I feeling as the 18,252 seat stadium dwarfs the program鈥檚 old basketball court, Knights Hall, that seated just 2,196 fans, putting it in stark contrast to what the team has been used to, not to mention how empty the large arena would feel with limited fan admittance.
Countless hours of planning and preparation by the and staff made playing in Freedom Hall possible. Thank you to everyone who made this dream real!
We can't wait to be back on 12/19 to take on Middle Tennessee
— Bellarmine Men鈥檚 Basketball (@BUKnightsMBB)
Unfortunately for the Knights, they faced another buzzsaw in their first home game against the undefeated Mocs team. While Bellarmine tallied more field goals than Chattanooga and hit more free throws, the Mocs made 17 3-point attempts compared to three for the Knights, playing a large part in Chattanooga鈥檚 77-68 victory.
While the Knights may not have gotten the first home win they had hoped for, the historic game still provided a feeling of accomplishment for both the program and the members in it. For Davenport, it was a homecoming of sorts as he returned to Freedom Hall, a stadium where he helped Louisville dominate during his tenure as an assistant coach as well as the site where he coached the Ballard High School team to its 1988 state championship. Once the Knights get that first win, it will leave a special impression on the man who heads the team.
鈥淢y vision and my memories of Freedom Hall are incredible and to experience it as a head coach of a great university in the best basketball community in the country I鈥檓 going to cry,鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not embarrassed by that. I鈥檒l never apologize for caring ever. It will be emotional, but it will be about the players and this university first.鈥�
With their first Division I win, the Bellarmine Knights basketball team will look to prove it belongs at the NCAA鈥檚 highest level as the season progresses. As a member of the Atlantic Sun conference, the Knights will try their hand at not only competing against fellow conference members later in the season, but fellow DI members as well. With plenty of history still yet to be made, the Knights will strive to make their 2020-21 season not only a historic one, but a memorable one as well.
