BOX SCORE

by Geo Muzika, Sports Information Assistant
Behind 19 points and five assists from Tauvon Pettiford, Saint Vincent cruised to a 74-55 victory on the road over Penn State-Fayette.  The Bearcats improved their record to 7-3 with the win.
 
Saint Vincent came out strong in the opening minutes of their final non-conference contest before the Christmas break.  The Bearcats opened with a 7-0 run that started before the tipoff when  Pettiford went to the line due to a technical foul against Penn State and converted on one of two attempts.
 
The Bearcats made their first of four three-pointers of the first half when sophomore Dillon Stith converted from beyond the arc (17:37). 
 
Isaac Turner added three more treys in the first half that came in clutch situations as each of the baskets ended small runs for the Roaring Lions.
 
Penn State Fayette struggled from the field in the first half and that helped Saint Vincent to maintain the lead for the first 20 minutes.  The Roaring Lions only shot 24% and 12 of their 24 points came from the foul line.
 
Dennis Bassich went on an 8-0 run by himself to lift the Bearcats to their largest lead of the first half (18) with 6:42 remaining.
 
The Roaring Lions did not go away quietly as they cut their deficit to eleven (35-24), with 10 converted free throw attempts in the final two minutes.
 
In the second half, game high scorer Pettiford took control of the game scoring 14 points and leading the Bearcats to victory. 
 
The Bearcats and Lions battled in the second half, exchanging baskets for the most part.  A few small runs put together by the Lions got them back to within 6 points early in the second half (15:32), but that is the closest the Lions got the rest of the game. 
 
With solid defense by Chris Klimchock and a late three pointer by freshman Brandun Washington, the Bearcats were able to hold on and defeat the Penn State Fayette Lions 74-55.

For the Bearcats, Turner added 15 points while Bassich chipped in 10.  Armani Fountain topped SVC on the boards with eight.
 
Penn State's David Winns showcased his scoring and rebounding abilities by scoring 18 points and grabbing a game high 10 rebounds.  Brandon Cunningham added 12 points for the Lions as well.
 
The Bearcats will not see the court again until they face off against Plattsburg State in the Miami Classic on December 30.