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The Saint Vincent women's basketball team took control early, using stifling defense to cruise to a 73-34 victory on the road at Grove City College.
 
With the Presidents' Athletic Conference win, SVC improves to 12-2 (15-6 overall)
 
Freshman Mara Benvenuti got the Bearcats started on the right foot, with 5 points in the first 90 seconds.  The 5-0 beginning forced the Wolverines to use an early timeout to regroup, but after a quick score to make it 5-2, SVC then embarked on an 11-2 run, which featured solid teamwork between Benvenuti and senior Taylor Mathers.
 
First, Benvenuti led a 2-on-1 break and dished to Mathers for a score that made it 12-4.  Then, after a missed shot and rebound by Hannah Carroll, SVC once again found themselves with a numbers advantage, and this time Mathers had the assist on a Benvenuti score to make it 14-4.
 
Later, a jumper by Jasmine Weems extended the lead to fifteen (20-5), and a relentless Bearcat defense refused to let the hosts have opportunities.

By the end of the first half, Grove City managed only one more point (16) than turnovers (15), as SVC cruised to a 40-16 halftime lead.  Collins had 11 points in the opening 20 minutes.
 
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, as Saint Vincent scored seven straight points, including four by Ally Schmidt, to run the lead to 47-16.
 
At the 12:18 mark, Brianna Zajac hit a jumper to make it a 55-21 game, and the lead reached 35 points following a Jessica Welch bucket with 9:37 to go (59-24).
 
From there, SVC cruised to the win thanks to strong play from the bench.  In all, 12 Bearcats scored, as the team allowed its fewest points since January 9, 2013 against Geneva (32).

Elle Collins led the offense with 13 points in just 21 minutes of play.  Zajac scored 10, while Schmidt and Mathers had 9 each. 
 
Benvenuti had 7 points along with a career-high 10 rebounds.  Zajac added six boards, while Schmidt had 3 steals. 
 
Saint Vincent caused 26 Wolverine turnovers on the day and only allowed 14 field goals.
 
SVC returns to action on Wednesday night, hosting Geneva in the Carey Center.