By GREG MENGELT

LOUISVILLE — After winning seven of its first eight Atlantic Sun games in 2021-22, Bellarmine suffered its second straight home loss Saturday, 75-70 to Kennesaw State at Freedom Hall.

After trailing 39-38 at the half, the balanced Owls went on an 18-6 run early in the second half and led the rest of the way. The Knights (13-11, 7-3 A-Sun) got within a point with a minute left on a following two Dylan Penn free throws, but sophomore guard Chris Youngblood, who led the Owls with 17 points, nailed a clutch 3 with 29 seconds left to help Kennesaw improve to 10-13 overall and 5-5 in the Atlantic Sun.

Youngblood was one of four Kennesaw players in double figures.

The Knights were led by 22 points from senior guard CJ Fleming (Cincinnati), who went 9 for 16 from the field. Penn (Evansville/Memorial), a senior, added 16 and senior forward Ethan Claycomb had 14 points off the Bellarmine bench.

Senior wing Juston Betz, a former Providence standout, had three points, six rebounds and three assists in the defeat.

The Knights will look to get back on track Wednesday when they go to Jacksonville to face North Florida. The Ospreys are 7-17 overall and 3-7 in league play but have won three of their last four games, including a 71-58 win at North Alabama on Saturday.