The Saint Vincent College men's basketball team traveled north to face Thiel College in the first Presidents' Athletic Conference game. The Bearcats fell to the Tomcats, 69-53.

Thiel began the contest by scoring the first 12 points until Drew Normandin scored Saint Vincent's first basket at the 13:03 mark. The Tomcats continued its start by netting the next field goals before Walter Bonds scored with almost 10 minutes expired off the clock as the hosts led by 14 (16-4).

The slow start continued for the Bearcats as they final broke double digits when David Stephen made back-to-back threes with 6:06 remaining in the half. Thiel kept a strong hold of the lead as it extended it to 23 (40-17) by halftime.

In the second half, SVC scored the opening five points but the Tomcats responded with four-straight points to lead 44-22 at the 17:09 mark. Both teams exchanged makes before the Bearcats went on a 10-1 run to cut the Thiel lead to 12 (49-37).

The hosts went on its own run of 12-4 and had a 61-41 advantage with 5:57 left in regulation. Saint Vincent outscored Thiel 12-8 in final five-plus minutes but ultimately fell.

Stephen paced SVC with 18 points along with seven rebounds and three assists. Cletus Helton added 13 points including going three-for-three from long range. 

Saint Vincent falls to 3-3 overall, 0-1 in the PAC as it travels to Hood College on Saturday, Nov. 23. Game time is 3:00 p.m.