Bellarmine 99, Franklin College 82

Bellarmine University pulled away from Franklin College for a 99-82 victory on Nov. 12, 2026, turning a competitive game into a comfortable win with a decisive second-half run. The Knights led by seven at halftime, absorbed an early Franklin push after the break, and then used a 15-3 surge to seize control for good in NCAA non-conference action.

Game overview

Bellarmine took a 47-40 lead into halftime after a fast-paced first half. Franklin stayed close by attacking the basket and hitting timely three-pointers, but the Knights’ depth and shot-making gave them a narrow cushion. Early in the second half, Franklin cut the lead to 52-49 and briefly had Bellarmine on its heels.

The Knights responded with their best stretch of the night. Cade Simmons scored eight points during a 15-3 run, and Nate Foster added a pair of three-pointers that pushed the lead back to double digits. Franklin never recovered, though it continued to compete until the final minutes.

Key stretch

The decisive run began with a defensive stop and a transition layup from Simmons. On the next possession, Foster hit a three from the right wing after Bellarmine reversed the ball twice. Franklin called timeout, but the Knights kept rolling. Simmons followed with a tough finish in traffic, and Foster knocked down another three to stretch the lead to 67-52.

Bellarmine’s defense also improved during that stretch. The Knights forced three turnovers in four possessions and held Franklin without a field goal for nearly four minutes. That combination of efficient offense and disruptive defense turned a tight game into a comfortable margin.

Standout players

• Cade Simmons, Bellarmine: 26 points, 7 rebounds
• Nate Foster, Bellarmine: 18 points, 4 three-pointers
• Drew Lawson, Bellarmine: 14 points, 9 assists
• Luke Harmon, Franklin College: 23 points
• Mason Reed, Franklin College: 17 points, 6 rebounds

Simmons was the best player on the floor, scoring at the rim and in the mid-range while also helping on the glass. Lawson controlled the offense with nine assists and repeatedly found Foster in rhythm. Franklin’s backcourt duo of Harmon and Reed kept the Grizzlies within reach for much of the night, but they lacked enough support down the stretch.

Tactical story

Bellarmine shot 11-for-27 from three-point range and assisted on 21 baskets. The Knights used ball screens to create driving lanes, then kicked out to shooters when Franklin’s help defense collapsed. Franklin shot well enough to stay close for a while, but Bellarmine’s depth and pace wore the Grizzlies down in the second half.

Franklin’s best offense came when it attacked the rim early in the shot clock. When the Grizzlies slowed down and settled for contested jumpers, Bellarmine’s defense tightened. The Knights forced 15 turnovers and turned several of them into quick points, which helped create separation during the decisive run.

Season impact

Bellarmine gets a useful win and a strong offensive performance, but the Knights will want to clean up some of the defensive lapses that kept Franklin close in the first half. The ability to respond after a shaky start to the second half was encouraging, and the Simmons-Lawson pairing looked comfortable running the offense.

For Franklin, the loss is a tough but valuable test against an NCAA Division I opponent. The Grizzlies showed they can score against a faster team, but they will need better ball security and more balanced scoring to finish games against stronger competition. Bellarmine, meanwhile, moves on with momentum and a 99-point showing to build from.