Bellarmine basketball: Knights sweep Jacksonville as Bradshaw shines

View Comments “Rise” has been the theme of the Bellarmine men’s basketball team since they began their first season at the Division I level, and the Knights (11-5, 8-2 ASUN) realized that mantra in a very real way after climbing to the top of the Atlantic Sun Conference following a weekend sweep of Jacksonville (9-11, 3-7). Game 1 was the Pedro Bradshaw Show, as the junior guard scored a season-high 24 points to go with 10 rebounds and five assists. The Russellville native got his off anywhere on the court going 1-for-2 from 3-point range on Friday. Bradshaw, who’s fifth in the ASUN averaging 14.9 points per game, shot 10-for-16 overall from the floor in Game 1. “I’m working pretty hard, as far as one-on-one situations,” he said on Friday. “Shots were falling for me tonight. I was feeling good. My teammates trust me to do the right thing and I did that.” More: Bellarmine basketball hopes film study can guide them against Jacksonville “It’s just Pedro,” said junior guard Dylan Penn, who finished with 14 points on 7 of 12 shooting to go with six rebounds and four assists Friday. “He got hot early. We’re willing to give him the ball and let him do what he does. He’s one of the best one-on-one scorers we have on this team. I think he’s one of the better one-on-one scorers in the conference.” The Knights put on one of their finest defensive performances of the season on Friday, holding the Dolphins to 34.8% shooting and preventing any scorer from hitting double digits in the first half. They also held junior forward Dontarius James to 10 points, well below his conference-leading 18.4 points per game average. “Give Jacksonville credit, they didn’t stop one second,” said Knights head coach Scott Davenport. “They never quit a second. They hit some tough shots. I thought our execution down the stretch when (the lead) got to 11 was very, very good. Both ends.” The story was much the same on Saturday night. The Knights, who never trailed on Saturday, built a quick lead that they were able to pad and maintain thanks to their defense and Bradshaw’s 13 first-half points. News: Eastern Kentucky to join Bellarmine in the Atlantic Sun Conference The Knights limited the Dolphins to 30.8% shooting in the first half, and once again limited James’ effect, holding him scoreless in the first 20 minutes. The Knights held the Dolphins to less than 30% shooting in the second half and allowed only two players, Trey Sides (12) and Loseni (10), to reach double-digits on Saturday. Bradshaw led the Knights with 15 on Saturday, while Penn had 10 of his 12 points in the second half, including six of the Knights’ last 15 points to close out Jacksonville. Bellarmine, who is now in first place in the Atlantic Sun, are scheduled to face North Florida in Jacksonville next weekend. Reach Jonathan Saxon at [email protected] or 502-715-1393 and follow him on Twitter at @TheSleepyScribe . Staff Directory Careers Accessibility Support Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy