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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine University men’s basketball team will begin its run in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship tomorrow, March 4 taking on Jacksonville in the first round at UNF Arena.

Bellarmine’s first round matchup with Jacksonville is scheduled for 12 pm E.T. on Wednesday, March 4 at UNF Arena. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The radio broadcast of both games will be available on ESPN 680/105.7 or online at ESPNLouisville.com. Live stats will be available on North Florida’s (host) website.

The Knights (12-18, 7-11 ASUN) finished the regular season with a bang, defeating Austin Peay 111-97 on Senior Day at Knights Hall. Senior Jack Karasinski, who was just named first team All-ASUN, turned in a career day with 38 points, tying the D1 era program record. Karasinski hit 13 of his 16 shot attempts, including 5-of-7 from three. Sophomore Tyler Doyle also had a career night, scoring 24 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Senior Brian Waddell rounded out the Knights’ three-headed monster with a 21-point performance.

With the win, Bellarmine secured the eight seed in the ASUN Conference Championship.

As a team, the Knights finished the regular season leading the conference in field goal percentage (.521), free throw percentage (.792), three-point percentage (.382), effective field goal percentage (.598) and fewest turnovers per game (10.3). BU’s field goal percentage is good for second best in the country, trailing only Miami (OH) with a .527. Bellarmine also ranks among the best in the country in free throw (4th), effective field goal (5th) and three-point shooting (17th).

Jacksonville enters the tournament as the nine seed after a 12-19 season. The Dolphins went 7-11 in ASUN play and won their last two games, defeating Stetson 89-5 and North Florida 85-61. Jacksonville is led by ASUN All-Freshman Team selection Hayden Wood. Wood is the only double-digit scorer for the Dolphins, averaging 11.5 points, adding 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Senior Jason Thirdkill Jr. is one of the best rim protectors in the conference, ranking sixth with 27 total blocks and 0.87 blocks per game. As a team, the Dolphins lead the ASUN in rebounding margin, boasting a +2.9 on the year.

Bellarmine and Jacksonville met once during the regular season, ending in a 77-70 victory for the Knights in Jacksonville. Overall, Bellarmine owns a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series. BU won each of the first six meetings before the Dolphins ended the streak with two wins before this season’s meeting.

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