BOX SCORE

by Steve Janik, Sports Information Assistant

Ally Schmidt and Drew Meeker set career highs in scoring with 19 and 18 points, respectively, as Saint Vincent earned a 90-60 win on the road over Chatham University.

SVC started the game strong, using runs of 6-2 and 7-2 to jump out to the early 17-7 lead with 14:35 to play in the first half.

Shortly after, up 21-9, the visitors went on a tear with a 10-2 run led by Taylor Mathers' six points. Then at the 7:00 minute mark, a Schmidt fast-break layup after a steal would put Saint Vincent up by 20 points for the second time in the first half, leading 33-13.

Now leading by 24 (43-19), Chatham would step up, going on a 12-2 run to cut the Bearcat lead to 14. In the final minute of the first half, both teams would trade baskets with Saint Vincent going into the break with the 48-36 lead. Mathers led SVC with 14, while Schmidt and Elle Collins had 12 and 10 respectively.

Despite SVC picking up the first four points of the second half, the host Cougars would outscore the visitors 10-5 through the first six minutes, drawing back within nine (55-46).  It was the closest that Chatham had been since the 14 minute mark of the first half.

However, after a Saint Vincent timeout, Drew Meeker stepped off the bench and provided a big spark for her team by hitting a three to put them back up by 12. She would then go on to hit seven of the next 14 points scored as the Bearcats saw their lead extend to 20 (72-52) with just over nine minutes left to play.

SVC would then close out the game with a 12-4 run led again by Meeker with seven.

Leading an impressive offensive day for the Bearcats was Mathers who dropped 19 points along with nine rebounds and four steals. Also adding to the mix was Schmidt who finished with a career-high 19 points while also dishing out five assists as well as Meeker who had a career-high 18 points, all of which came in the second half. Elle Collins and Mara Benvenuti also added 12 and 10 points respectively.

With the win, Saint Vincent improves to 12-5 (9-1, PAC) and looks next to a road contest against Washington & Jefferson on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 8 p.m.