LATROBE, Pa. (Feb. 11) – The Saint Vincent men's basketball team turned a halftime deficit into a signature Presidents' Athletic Conference win on Wednesday night, outscoring Washington & Jefferson 44-32 after the break to earn a 75-66 victory at the Robert S. Carey Center.
 
The Bearcats improved to 15-7 overall and 10-3 in PAC play, while the Presidents fell to 16-6 overall and 9-4 in conference action.
 
Saint Vincent trailed 34-31 at halftime after a cold start from the floor, but the Bearcats flipped the game with energy on the glass and a much sharper offensive rhythm in the second half.
 
SVC finished with a 50-41 rebounding advantage, including 22 offensive boards, and turned those extra possessions into a 25-16 edge in second-chance points to wear down the Presidents.
 
The Bearcats also won the battle in the paint, scoring 40 points in the lane, and paired that with efficient perimeter shooting, finishing 7-of-16 from three-point range (43.8%). Overall, Saint Vincent shot 30-of-76 (39.5%), while holding W&J to 24-of-61 (39.3%) and just 1-of-6 from deep in the second half after the Presidents hit four triples before the break.
 
Offensively, Saint Vincent was paced by Mike Iuzzolino, who led the Bearcats with 16 points, knocking down four three-pointers on the night.
 
 Dev Ostrowski added 15 points, including three triples, while Jaden Payne delivered a huge all-around effort with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds that repeatedly extended possessions in key stretches.
 
Saint Vincent's balance showed throughout the lineup, as Jevontae Jones chipped in eight points, seven rebounds and five assists, Jaden Gales added eight points and 11 rebounds, and Terek Crosby contributed eight points off the bench. The Bearcats also shared the ball effectively, totaling 14 assists, with Jones and Maxwell Gordon combining for seven assists to keep the offense moving in the second half.
 
Washington & Jefferson was led by Nathan Plotner's 14 points, while Matt Seidl added 11 and Quinton Burlenski and Michael Plasko scored 10 apiece, but Saint Vincent's rebounding edge and second-half defensive effort helped the Bearcats maintain control down the stretch.
 
The Bearcats return to action on Saturday, February 14, hosting Hiram in a home PAC matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. with senior day festivities taking place prior to the game.