The Saint Vincent women's basketball team won their second Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship in three years. The Bearcats defeated a familiar foe, the Washington and Jefferson Presidents by a final score of 65-61.
This is the third season in a row that the Bearcats have faced the Presidents in the PAC tournament. Last year in the PAC semifinals, the Presidents came into the Robert S. Carey Center and upset the Bearcats by a score of 74-53.
This year was a much different story as the it was a tightly contested game the entire way through. The teams traded baskets for much of the game as the largest lead of the game was just eight points. There were four lead changes and two ties throughout the game.
The Bearcats found themselves in a tight spot as they were down 55-47 with just 4:12 to play in the fourth quarter. The Bearcats used an 18-6 run to close out the game and win the PAC Championship.
As the Bearcats trailed 55-47 freshman
Emily Cavacini hit a big three pointer, followed by a Lafko steal and two foul shots by
Carlee Kilgus to cut the lead to just three (55-52). The Bearcats and Presidents traded baskets as W&J maintained a 59-57 lead with just 1:58 remaining in regulation.
At this point in the game, the Bearcats took control. Kilgus came down the court and buried a three pointer, followed by Lafko making one out of two from the line, giving the Bearcats a 61-59 advantage.
W&J tied the game at 61 as Alie Seto made two clutch free throws. After a couple of misses from both teams, the Bearcats found themselves with the ball in their hands with 38 seconds remaining and the PAC championship on the line. Kilgus drove to the left side of the lane and put in the game winning layup with 14 seconds remaining.
Lafko stole the ball away from W&J's Seto and drew a Presidents foul. The Gibsonia, Pennsylvania native knocked in two free throws to seal the deal for the Bearcats, securing the four-point victory.
Sophomore
Ella Marconi was leading scorer for the Bearcats with 17 points and added eight rebounds. Lafko had 15 points, five assists, and added eight steals to lead the Bearcats to victory.
