LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — A tale of two halves unfolded at Knights Hall on Wednesday night, as the Bellarmine Knights erased a nine-point halftime deficit with a dominant second-half performance to defeat the Chattanooga Mocs 79-64 in a nonconference men’s basketball game.

The game turned decisively after halftime. Chattanooga, which led 36-27 at the break, saw its offensive efficiency vanish while Bellarmine found a relentless rhythm. The Knights outscored the Mocs 52-28 in the second half, shooting a blistering 64% from the field after intermission compared to Chattanooga’s 25%.

The most important part of the game was Bellarmine’s immediate and sustained surge to open the second half, which completely dismantled Chattanooga’s early control. The Knights began the period on a 13-2 run, erasing the deficit in just over four minutes. The run was fueled by aggressive drives and precise outside shooting, with Jack Karasinski and Michael Wilson providing key baskets. This outburst shifted all momentum and set the tone for the remainder of the game, as Chattanooga never recovered its composure or its shooting touch.

Chattanooga had controlled the first half behind the guard duo of Brennan Watkins and Jordan Frison, who each finished with 20 points. The Mocs built their lead by forcing seven first-half turnovers and capitalizing with a 10-2 edge in points off turnovers. Their defense held Bellarmine to just 27 points on 32% shooting in the opening period.

The second half was a stark contrast. Bellarmine, which entered the game with a 5-6 record, committed only four turnovers after halftime and began converting at a high rate. Karasinski, a 6-foot-7 forward from Grand Rapids, Michigan, led all scorers with 20 points, including 14 in the second half. Brian Waddell added 15 points, and Kenyon Goodin scored 13, with 10 coming after the break. Point guard Darrius Bolden orchestrated the offense with seven assists.

Meanwhile, Chattanooga’s offense stagnated. The Mocs, who fell to 5-7, shot a frigid 10 for 46 from three-point range for the game, including 3 for 23 in the final 20 minutes. Their 92.6 offensive rating on 69 possessions underscored a night of poor shot selection and execution against a tightening Bellarmine defense.

Bellarmine also dominated at the free-throw line, making 19 of 22 attempts, while Chattanooga went 12 for 15. The Knights’ 117.1 offensive rating on 67 possessions highlighted their superior efficiency, particularly in the decisive second half.

The loss continued a difficult stretch for Chattanooga, which has now dropped four of its last five games. Bellarmine, conversely, earned a momentum-building victory ahead of a daunting road game at Kentucky.

The announced attendance at Knights Hall was 1,192.

Chattanooga looks to rebound on the road at Alabama A&M on Sunday. Bellarmine travels to face Kentucky on Tuesday.