PHOTO GALLERY

Josh Duda scored a career-high 21 points to lead the Bearcats to a 93-71 victory over Washington & Jefferson College in the Presidents' Athletic Conference opener at the Carey Center. 
 
The Bearcats took their first lead of the game on a three by Andrew Reed at the 18-minute mark, then extended the lead to four (8-4) on a three by David Stephen.

Four points from Shemar Bennett helped build the lead to 14-8, and a Cletus Helton drive gave SVC an 8-point edge, 16-8 with 14:45 remaining in the first half.  Just over 30 seconds later, another three by Stephen ran the lead into double-digits (19-9).
 
The Bearcats continued the run, as Toddy Goodwin score on a drive to the hoop, followed by a Reed Hipps layup with 12:30 remaining that made the score 25-9.  A three by Josh Duda increased the advantage to 19, and another score by Helton made the score 30-9 with 10:49 remaining, forcing W&J to take a timeout.
 
Later, a bucket from Bennett off an inside feed by Helton, followed by threes from Reed and Helton made the score 49-21 with just over four minutes remaining in the half. 
 
The lead reached 30 points (57-27) at the 1:27 mark on a jumper by Stephen, and the Bearcats went into the locker room in front by a score of 60-29.
 
Stephen scored 12 first-half points, while Helton had 11 and Duda added 10.
 
The Presidents opened the second half on a 10-4 run, making the score 64-39 just over two minutes into play.  The gap was further reduced to 20 at the 12:33 mark (66-46). 
 
Both teams traded baskets over the next three minutes, keeping the margin at 20 with 9:34 remaining, 72-52.
 
Duda then a trio of threes with less than six minutes remaining, increasing the lead to 86-58, and the Bearcats cruised home from there.
 
Duda was one of five Bearcats to score in double figures.  He was joined by Stephen (17), Helton (13), Reed (11) and Bennett (11).  Stephen led the team in rebounds with 7, while Drew Normandin and Walter Bonds each had 5.  Bonds added five assists on the night.

Saint Vincent is now 4-5 overall on the season, while W&J drops to 5-3.  The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday (December 7), hosting Grove City College at 6:00 p.m.