LATROBE, Pa. (Jan. 28) – The Saint Vincent men's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack and clutch late free throws to earn a 90-83 Presidents' Athletic Conference road victory over Bethany College (WV) Wednesday evening at the Robert S. Carey Center.
With the win, the Bearcats improve to 11-7 overall and 6-3 in PAC play, while Bethany falls to 7-11 and 3-6 in league action.
It was a back-and-forth battle throughout two halves, with five total ties and 13 lead changes. Saint Vincent built a 46-41 advantage by halftime, using efficient shooting and timely defense to stay in front.
The Bearcats finished the night shooting 52.6 percent from the floor (30-of-57), including 37.5 percent from three (9-of-24), and hit 21-of-33 free throws (63.6 %) to help sustain the lead through the game's final minutes.
Offensively,
Jaden Gales paced the Bearcats with 20 points, turning in a balanced all-around effort with 6-of-9 shooting and 7-of-10 at the foul line.
Mike Iuzzolino contributed 15 points, going 5-of-9 from the field with three triples, while
Jevontae Jones added 14 points and six assists to fuel Saint Vincent's offense.
Terek Crosby provided a steady 14 points, including critical late free throws, and
Jaden Payne scored eight as part of a balanced scoring punch that saw five Bearcats reach double figures or better.
Bethany countered with a strong night from Cooper Rose (22 points) and Troy Hixson (21 points), and Ryan Reasbeck chipped in 17, keeping the Bison within striking distance late. Bethany shot a solid 43.3 percent from the floor and played with energy on both ends, but Saint Vincent's late execution from the charity stripe helped seal the result as the clock wound down.
The Bearcats mixed aggressive attacking paint play with timely triples and converted key transition opportunities, finishing with 40 points in the paint and 14 fast-break points — statistics that underscored their willingness to attack the rim and push tempo when opportunities presented themselves.
Saint Vincent's defense also forced turnovers and contested shots, helping maintain spacing and momentum through stretch runs in the second half. Despite Bethany's late push, the Bearcats held firm behind disciplined ball movement and composure in late game situations.
Saint Vincent returns to action on Saturday, January 31 with a road matchup at Geneva College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Beaver Falls.
