CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (Jan. 17) – The Thomas More Saints overwhelmed the Saint Vincent men's basketball team in the second half for a 75-57 victory in Presidents' Athletic Conference action at the Connor Convocation Center.
 
Saint Vincent shot 60.9 percent from the field in the first half to take a 40-32 victory into the break. However, Thomas More outscored the Bearcats 43-17 over the final 20 minutes to win the battle of the top two teams in the PAC standings.  
 
Jason Capco led the Bearcats from the outset, putting together a strong first half. The senior guard scored the first five points of the contest, including a three-pointer to make it 5-0.
 
A little later a three-pointer by Kyle Evans gave the Bearcats a 10-4 advantage. The home team responded with six straight points to tie the game at 10-10 at the 15:00 mark of the first half.
 
After a basket helped SVC regain the layup momentarily, a three by Ryne Callahan helped TMC take its first lead of the game at 13-12.
 
The two teams would exchange the lead several times over the next five minutes. A layup by Capco put SVC back in front by an 18-17 margin at the 12:14 mark. Thomas More would regain the lead once again, with a free throw making it 25-24 with 7:55 to play in the half.
 
Capco helped SVC regain the lead for good in the first half with a three-pointer to make it 27-25 at the 6:55 mark. A free throw by Thomas More helped cut the deficit to 27-26, SVC responded with a 7-0 run to push the lead eight points (34-26). Simmons sparked the run with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer.
 
A layup by Bennett and a jumper by Capco pushed the Bearcat advantage to 40-31 with 29 seconds left in the first half. The Saints split a pair at the line to make the halftime score 40-32.
 
Saint Vincent converted 60.9 percent from the field in the first half, including 4-of-7 from behind the three-point line. Capco led the Bearcats with 14 points in the half while Bennett added eight points and four rebounds.
 
The second half was all Thomas More. The Saints used a 15-2 run to surge into a 47-42 lead at the 12:45 mark. After a fadeaway layup by Bennett made it a one-possession game at 47-44, Thomas More poured on another run of 15-4 to take control of the game at 62-48 with 6:39 to play.
 
The Saints would maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the way en route to a fifth straight victory.
 
Capco led the Bearcats with 14 points, while Shemar Bennett (12) and Matt D'Amico (10) also scored in double figures.
 
Damion King scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half to lead TMC. King also added eight rebounds and seven assists. Callahan also chipped in 16 points, 11 of which came after the break.
 
The loss drops Saint Vincent to 10-6 overall and 7-2 in PAC play. Meanwhile, Thomas More improves to 12-4 and 8-1 in league contests.
 
Saint Vincent hosts Chatham University in PAC action on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tip-off in the Carey Center is slated for 6 p.m.