Bellarmine’s men’s basketball team concluded their 2022-23 season with a 76-56 loss against Liberty in the ASUN Conference quarterfinals on Tuesday night. The Knights were outplayed by a red-hot Liberty squad, and ASUN Player of the Year Darius McGhee led the Flames to an impressive 48-31 halftime lead with 26 points and five assists.
Liberty shot a remarkable 71% from the field in the first half and maintained a commanding lead throughout the game. Despite shooting 59.1% in the opening half, the Knights were unable to reduce the deficit as they struggled with turnovers, making nine in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, Bellarmine failed to make a comeback, shooting just 37% from the field, and the Flames ultimately secured a 20-point victory. McGhee finished with 29 points and six assists for Liberty, who advanced to the ASUN semifinals against Eastern Kentucky.
Bellarmine saw four players reach double digits, with Alec Pfriem leading the way with 13 points, followed by Garrett Tipton with 12 and Peter Suder and Ben Johnson chipping in 10 points each. Despite the loss, head coach Scott Davenport expressed his pride in the team’s resilience and perseverance throughout the season.
Davenport mentioned the numerous injuries his players had to endure, including six surgeries, and the fact that nearly every player on the team had been knocked out of practice or game time. He praised the players for their positive attitude and determination, adding that he was proud of their achievements despite the adversity they faced.
In his postgame radio interview, Davenport reflected on a statement from Juston Betz, who played in his final game after six seasons with the program. Betz said, “In the last media timeout, I was looking at minutes. Everybody else is looking at years. Appreciate the minutes.” Davenport echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of cherishing each moment and being grateful for the opportunity to play the game they love.
Although the season ended in a loss, Bellarmine’s determination and grit throughout the year were evident. The Knights will look to build on this experience and come back stronger next season.
