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WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Feb. 4) – Behind double-double performances from Taylor Mathers and Shalia Williams, the Saint Vincent women's basketball team defeated Waynesburg 81-57 in Presidents' Athletic Conference play at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse.

Mathers earned her sixth double-double of the season, pouring in 22 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Williams put up career-highs in both points (25) and rebounds (11).

The victory was the Bearcats fifth straight and improved their record to 12-1 in conference play. The victory also helped SVC strengthen its overall record to 18-2. Waynesburg dropped to 10-10 overall and 7-6 in the PAC.

Mathers got the scoring started with a layup just six seconds into the contest, giving SVC an early 2-0 lead. Both teams struggled over the next three minutes to find the bottom of the basket. Waynesburg finally ended the drought with a three-point field goal to take their first lead, 3-2 at the 16:15 mark of the first half.

After a mini-run by Waynesburg, Mathers helped SVC regain the lead with a basket and a pair of free throws, making the Bearcats led 8-7 at the 13:17 mark.

After a basket on the ensuing possession by Waynesburg, Mathers converted another layup to make it 10-9 Bearcats. That basket started an 11-0 that helped the Bearcats push their lead to 19-9 and take control. The run finally ended when Waynesburg made a pair of free throws at the 8:34 mark.

A little later on SVC went on another key run. After taking a 25-12 lead, the Bearcats rattled off eight straight points, stretching their lead to 33-12 at the 4:59 mark. The Bearcats run included back-to-back layups from Williams, who poured in 14 points in the first half alone.

The Bearcats set a tone in the first half, holding Waynesburg to just 14.7 percent (5 for 34) from the field.

Waynesburg started hot in the second half, using a 13-6 run to cut the Bearcats lead to 46-34 with 14:26 to play. Junior guard Jill Kegg cooled off the Jackets with a three pointer.

Sophomore guard Jasmine Weems helped the Bearcats push their lead back over 15 points (51-35) with a jumper at the 13:15 mark. Sophomore guard Mara Benvenuti drilled a three-pointer to help Saint Vincent strengthen its lead to 20 points (65-45), with 8:38 to play.

Mathers made two free throws and a layup to push Saint Vincent's lead to 73-49 with 5:41 to play in the contest. Williams rounded out the SVC scoring with a layup with 33 seconds to play to finish up her career-high night.

SVC held Waynesburg to 27.1 percent from the field, allowing only 19 of 70 shots to fall in the contest. The Bearcats also held a 61-42 advantage in rebounding on the night.

Saint Vincent returns to action when they host Westminster College on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Carey Center. The contest is slated to tip at 4 p.m.