PHOTO GALLERY

The Saint Vincent women's basketball team advanced to the semifinal round of the Presidents' Athletic Conference playoffs with an 82-64 victory over Chatham in the Carey Center.

Jasmine Weems hit a jumper on the game's opening possession to put the Bearcats on the board, but the teams played evenly through the first five minutes.  Another layup by Weems at the 3:45 mark gave the hosts a 13-11 lead, which grew to a five-point edge following a free throw by Kayla Slovenec and a Paige Montrose bucket in the paint that was set up by a Katie Ryan pass.
 
Maria Morgan banked home a three-pointer to run the lead to six, 19-13, and the Bearcats ended the quarter ahead by that same margin (21-15).
 
Susie Ellis set the tone for the second quarter by hitting a long-range three in the opening minute, followed by a layup from Babette Sanmartin.  After a block by Sanmartin at the other end of the court, Weems hit a three from the top of the key.  A coast-to-coast drive by Slovenec completed the run, with SVC in front 31-15 at the 6:05 mark.
 
Sanmartin continued her strong play on both ends of the court, scoring at the 3-minute mark to give the Bearcats a 37-21 lead, and the teams went into the locker rooms with Saint Vincent in front by a 39-26 score.
 
Slovenec hit a three to open the second half, and Ellis soon followed with a three of her own.  Later, another trey by Slovenec ran the lead to twenty, 51-31.  The game then took a physical turn, with both teams spending considerable time at the free throw line.  A jumper from Weems and a three by Morgan helped to stretch the lead to 23 by the end of the quarter, 64-41.

The Bearcats cruised from there, with five players scoring in double figures.  Sanmartin led the way with 20 points, to go along with 14 rebounds.  Ellis tallied 13 points, while Weems and Morgan each scored 12.  Slovenec added 11.  Katie Ryan grabbed 9 rebounds, while Paige Montrose had six boards.  As a team, Saint Vincent out-rebounded Chatham by a 52-36 margin.

For Chatham, Dana Eastman and Natalie Knap each had 12 points, all on three-pointers.

The win puts SVC into at least the PAC semifinals for the seventh straight season, meaning they have advanced to the PAC Final Four in every season since becoming a full conference member. 

Saint Vincent will advance to the semifinal round and will face #2 seed Washington & Jefferson College on Friday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m..  The Final Four will take place in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, hosted by #1 seed Thomas More College.