The Saint Vincent men's basketball team hosted the Chatham University Cougars in a Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup. After several technical fouls called against both teams, the Bearcats fell, 95-80. Saint Vincent drops to 9-8 overall with a conference record of 4-4 while Chatham improves to 11-6 and 6-2 in the PAC.

The visitors opened the scoring in the first 13 seconds of the game but shortly after, David Stephen tied the game at two. The Cougars scored the next seven points to take a 9-2 lead. After Shemar Bennett laid one in from the post, Chatham rattled off eight more points to go up 17-3 at the 16:31 mark. Bennett scored the next basket but the Cougars once again went on a run of seven to lead by 18 (24-6).

Saint Vincent ended the run with layups from Josh Duda and Andrew Reed to cut the deficit to 13. Chatham extended the lead back 15 before Duda hit a three-point shot followed by layups from Collin Neville and Drew Normandin to pull the Bearcats within eight (26-18) at the 9:42 mark.

The Cougars hit a three to answer but Cletus Helton responded with one of his own as Normandin made a free throw to cut the score to 29-22 with 8:50 to go in the first half. This was the closest Saint Vincent got to the lead Chatham extended it back to double digits. Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half with the Cougars ahead 50-37 at the break.

Reed got the scoring started for SVC in the second half with two free throws. Despite Chatham going back up by 13, the Bearcats scored seven-straight as Helton scored four of them to pull the team to six points of the lead. Chatham hit a three on the ensuing possession and then that is when things got a little out of control.

After a turnover by Saint Vincent, there was a small scrum on the court for the ball where a foul was called against Stephen. After the whistle, the action continued with the officials having to separate both teams. Technical fouls were awarded to AJ Myers of Chatham and Stephen of Saint Vincent. From there, the game settled down for several minutes.

Up 55-46, the Cougars increased its lead back to 11 with 15:40 to go in regulation. SVC cut the lead to six after three-consecutive points from Bennett and a Stephen layup over three defenders. Chatham grew its advantage back to 11 and then eventually 12. Reed scored four-unanswered points to cut the lead back to eight, however, Saint Vincent struggled to get the difference any smaller.

Both teams went back and forth until the 3:54 mark in the second half as Duda hit a three to the game score to 81-72. On the way back up the court, Marcos Cintron of Chatham and Stephen got tied up where both were given technical fouls. Being the second technical of the game for Stephen, he was ejected from the game.

Play resumed as Bennett scored in the paint to make it a seven-point ballgame but the Cougars hit a three to go back up 10 (84-74). 20 seconds later, Duda was called for a flagrant one foul which allowed the Cougars to shoot two free throws and keep the possession. The visitors capitalized on both opportunities as they led 88-74 with 2:32 on the clock. Saint Vincent tried cut the lead but Chatham held on for the 15-point victory.

Bennett led all Bearcats with 18 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Reed scored 15 while Normandin added 12 points off the bench. SVC out rebounded Chatham 36-32 but turned the ball over 12 times compared to seven.

Saint Vincent kicks off the second half the PAC season on the road against Washington & Jefferson College on Saturday, Jan. 25. Start time is 3 p.m.