LATROBE, Pa. (Jan. 28) – The Saint Vincent women's basketball team battled throughout a competitive Presidents' Athletic Conference contest Wednesday evening at the Robert S. Carey Center, but the Bearcats fell 64–57 to Bethany College.
 
Saint Vincent's record moves to 13–5 overall and 8-1 in PAC play, while Bethany improves to 12–6 overall and 7-2 in conference action.
 
In a back-and-forth game that featured multiple lead changes and seven ties, the Bison seized key stretches in the first half and maintained a narrow advantage through the fourth quarter. Saint Vincent shot 35.4 percent from the field (23-of-65) and 21.1 percent from three (4-of-19), while Bethany finished with 47.2 percent shooting (25-of-53) and 25.0 percent from beyond the arc (3-of-12).
 
The Bearcats were paced offensively by Avina Norman, who scored a team-high 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. Brooke Evans added 12 points, going 5-of-10 from the floor, and Olivia Yancy and Emerson Peffer each contributed eight points as Saint Vincent sought to claw back throughout the evening.
 
Guard Danielle Pontius chipped in six points with a balanced effort, and Carmella McDole scored four as part of the Bearcats' diversified offense.
 
Bethany was led by Lindsey Best, who posted 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, and Lindsey Garrison, who added 15 with timely buckets throughout the second half. Kaedlee Potter pitched in 13 points, giving the Bison multiple scoring threats that kept the momentum in their favor.
 
Saint Vincent remained within striking distance down the stretch — the game featured nine lead changes — but Bethany's ability to convert at the free-throw line and protect a late possession helped seal the result. The Bearcats forced turnovers but could not convert enough of those opportunities into points to complete the comeback.
 
The Bearcats will look to rebound in their next PAC matchup as they travel to Geneva on Saturday, January 31. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Beaver Falls.