BETHANY, W.Va. (Feb. 8) – Hot shooting Bethany used 12 three-pointers to defeat the Saint Vincent men's basketball team 83-71 in Presidents' Athletic Conference action at the Hummel Fieldhouse.
 
The loss stops the Bearcats nine-game winning streak. SVC falls to 17-5 overall and 13-2 in PAC play. Meanwhile, the win snaps Bethany's four-game losing streak. The Bison move to 13-9 overall and 8-7 in league play.
 
Austin Dedert split a pair of free throws and Austin Ford converted a layup to help SVC out to an early 3-0 lead. Bethany countered back with a dunk and a three-pointer to take a 5-3 advantage. A pair of free throws from Jason Capco tied the game at 5-5.
 
From that point the teams started to exchange points for the next several minutes, as neither team could build a lead larger than two points. A jumper by Matt D'Amico tied the game at 18-18 with just around 11 minutes left in the first half. Tom Kromka was a leader during the stretch, totaling five points.
 
Bethany used eight straight points over the next three minutes, including a three-pointer to build a 26-18 edge at the 8-minute mark. Kromka put an end to the run with an offensive rebound and layup in front off a Mike Simmons trey that helped SVC cut the deficit to 26-23.
 
However, Bethany would tack on another sizeable run, building a 34-25 lead. A three by Simmons brought the Bearcats within six (36-30) late in the half but the Bison answered with a trey of their own to close the first half scoring.
 
The hosts Bison enjoyed exceptional shooting in the first half, converting 55.2 percent from the field, including 5-of-11 from three-point range. Saint Vincent shot 44.4 percent in the opening half but only managed 2-of-9 from behind the arc.
 
Neither team had a player in double players in the first half, as Kromka led SVC with nine points. Antonio Rudolph paced the Bison with nine points as well at the break.
 
Bethany gained control early in the second half, continuing to light it up from behind the three-point line. The Bison converted 12-of-20 from behind the three-point line in the contest. Bethany build its lead to as many as 27 (76-49) with 6:51 left.
 
Saint Vincent refused to quit, battling back before falling by an 83-71 margin.
 
Josh Duda paced the Bearcats with 14 points, including a 9-for-9 performance at the free throw line. Ford added 13 points and 6 rebounds, while D'Amico tallied 12 points. Kromka added 9 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
 
Bethany was led by Chaice Truex, who poured in 25 points, including five three pointers off the bench in a winning effort.
 
Bethany shot exceptionally from the field (56.9 percent) and 60 percent (12-of-20) from behind the three-point line.
 
Saint Vincent hosts Thiel College for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 11. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. at the Carey Center.