Bulldogs Fall to Bellarmine Despite Rebounding Dominance, Prepare for Houston Christian
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The Citadel men’s basketball team fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to Bellarmine, 70-58, on Monday night at McAlister Field House. Despite a commanding 44-24 advantage on the glass, The Citadel struggled with perimeter shooting, hindering their ability to overcome the Knights’ offensive prowess.
First-Half Struggles Define Bulldogs’ Deficit
The Bulldogs started strong, establishing an early 11-5 lead fueled by interior scoring from Carter Kingsbury, Keynan Davis, and Cassius Bonjasky. However, Bellarmine quickly responded with an 18-4 run, ignited by four first-half three-pointers from Kenyon Goodin. This surge allowed the Knights to take a 35-31 lead into halftime. The Citadel managed to generate 24 points in the paint before the break, capitalizing on offensive rebounds to extend possessions.
Second-Half Effort Not Enough to Close the Gap
The Bulldogs continued to battle throughout the second half, with Kingsbury providing a scoring lift through mid-range shots and drives to the basket. King Wali consistently attacked the lane for crucial finishes, while sophomore Dante Kearse contributed seven points and five rebounds. Simeon German added physicality around the rim, securing nine boards.
Despite the individual efforts, The Citadel couldn’t overcome Bellarmine’s efficient shooting. Kingsbury led the team with 11 points and six rebounds, followed by Wali with 10 points and seven rebounds. Davis added six points and three boards, and Bonjasky chipped in with seven points off the bench. The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 22 of 59 from the field and a dismal 3 of 24 from beyond the arc, resulting in 38 points in the paint and 16 second-chance points.
Bellarmine, in contrast, shot 50% from the floor and 50% from three-point range. Goodin led all scorers with 24 points, shooting 6 of 9 from long range, while Jack Karasinski added 16 points.
Coach’s Perspective: Shooting Woes Plague Bulldogs
“We thought we could control the pace better with our matchups, but going 3 for 24 from three really put us behind,” a team spokesperson relayed from the coach’s post-game comments. “Credit to Bellarmine because they were aggressive and physical all night. I was disappointed with how much we settled and how many one on one possessions we had, which made the shots tougher. I do not think 3 for 24 is characteristic of us, and on a normal shooting night our rhythm looks different and hopefully the outcome does too.”
Key Contributors Shine Despite Loss
Several Bulldogs stood out despite the defeat:
- Carter Kingsbury – 11 points, 6 rebounds
- King Wali – 10 points, 7 rebounds
- Keynan Davis – 6 points, 3 rebounds
- Cassius Bonjasky – 7 points, 4 rebounds
- Simeon German – 9 rebounds, 4 points
A highlight from the game can be viewed here: https://t.co/kpfupatFs0. Additional game statistics are available here: https://t.co/fz18wpyppL.
Looking Ahead: Houston Christian Visits McAlister Field House
The Citadel will continue its “Feast Week” homestand on Wednesday, November 26, with a 7 p.m. matchup against Houston Christian at McAlister Field House, broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can find complete coverage of Bulldog basketball at CitadelSports.com and by following @CitadelHoops on X and Instagram.
