BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY

by Sean Malone, Sports Information Assistant
The Saint Vincent College women's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the PAC Conference Tournament with a dominating 89-43 win over the Thiel Tomcats. 

Elle Collins made a three 46 seconds into the game, and the Bearcats never looked back.  The Tomcats never led, but they kept the game close until the 13:15 mark of the first half, when they trailed 15-9.  Thiel did not score for the next six and half minutes while Saint Vincent went on a 17-0 run, pushing their lead out to 23 (32-9).
                 
A final flurry of baskets at the end of the first half put the game out of reach.  The Bearcats went on a 13-0 in the last 2:23 of the first half, fueled by two threes from Jessica Welch.  After that run, Saint Vincent took a 58-17 lead into halftime.
                 
The Tomcats kept the score closer in the second half, as Saint Vincent only outscored them 31-26.  Nevertheless, the Bearcats still came away with a 46 point win and advanced to the next round of the PAC playoffs.
                 
Saint Vincent received a solid effort from its entire roster in its impressive victory.  Twelve different players scored for the Bearcats, and Devin McGrath led all scorers with 19 points and a 75% field goal percentage.  Collins (13) and Ariel Rocco(11) also reached double figures for Saint Vincent. 

Rocco recorded her second career double-double as well, leading the team with 10 rebounds. Drew Meeker added a team-high four assists. 

The Bearcats also played excellent defense, collecting 14 steals, led by McGrath's 5. 
                 
Thiel was led by its two seniors, Kelly Muffley and Kelly Barzak.  Muffley had 10 points, including 2 threes, to go along with 9 rebounds.  Barzak added 17 points and 9 rebounds.  The Tomcats finished the year at 8-18.
                 
Saint Vincent continues on the PAC Final Four, which will take place Friday and Saturday at the home court of #1 seed Thomas More.  The Bearcats will play Washington & Jefferson at 6PM on Friday in the semifinal round, while Thomas More will host Waynesburg.  The winners will meet on Saturday evening.