LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — Jack Karasinski scored 26 points and Bellarmine used a dominant first-half offensive display to build an insurmountable lead, cruising past Stetson 92-71 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Knights Hall.

The Knights, improving to 10-13 overall, seized control with a 47-point first half, fueled by efficient shooting and a decisive advantage in the paint. The Hatters, who fell to 8-16, could not match the home team’s early firepower or interior presence.

Bellarmine established its authority from the opening tip. After a quick exchange of three-pointers, the Knights embarked on a 17-4 run over a five-minute span to take a 23-9 lead. Karasinski, a 6-foot-7 forward from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the catalyst, hitting two of his five three-pointers during the surge. The Knights’ ball movement was sharp, generating open looks, while their defense forced early Stetson turnovers that led to easy scoring opportunities.

The Knights’ lead ballooned to 18 points late in the first half before Stetson’s Ethan Copeland connected on a trio of three-pointers to keep the Hatters within striking distance. Bellarmine took a 47-35 advantage into halftime, having outscored Stetson 40-20 in the paint and 12-5 off turnovers in the opening period.

Any hope of a Stetson comeback was extinguished early in the second half. Bellarmine opened with a 10-3 spurt, capped by a Kenyon Goodin layup that pushed the lead to 57-38 with 16:35 remaining. The Knights maintained a comfortable margin throughout the final period, with their lead never dipping below 15 points.

Karasinski’s efficient 26 points came on 9-of-14 shooting, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Brian Waddell added 14 points and four assists for Bellarmine, while Tyler Doyle facilitated the offense with 12 points and six assists. The Knights shot 54% from the field as a team and assisted on 22 of their 34 made baskets.

Stetson was led by Ethan Copeland’s 18 points and Jake Johnson’s 17 points and five assists. Calvin Sirmans added 10 points for the Hatters, who shot just 39% from the floor and were hampered by 13 turnovers.

The game’s statistical disparity told the story of Bellarmine’s comprehensive victory. The Knights doubled Stetson’s production in the paint, 40-20, and outscored them 12-5 off turnovers. Bellarmine’s defensive effort also limited Stetson to zero fastbreak points.

A crowd of 1,593 at Knights Hall saw Bellarmine snap a two-game conference skid and even its ASUN record. Stetson, coming off a narrow two-point loss to North Alabama, has now lost two straight.

Bellarmine next hosts Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday. Stetson travels to face Eastern Kentucky, also on Saturday.