(BEAVER FALLS, Pa.) - The fifth-ranked Thomas More College women's basketball team forced a season-high-tying 43 turnovers tonight (Wednesday, February 5, 2014) as it defeated Geneva College, 89-52, in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) game at Metheny Fieldhouse in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
With the win, the Saints remain undefeated at 20-0 overall and 13-0 in the PAC. With the loss, the Golden Tornadoes fall to 3-16 overall and 2-11 in the PAC.
Geneva took an early 6-4 lead with 15:34 to play in the first half, but the Saints went on a 36-10 run to build a 40-16 lead at halftime. The Saints' defense forced 28 turnovers in the first half and shot 46.2 percent from the floor (18-of-39) as they out-scored Geneva 30-6 in the paint.
In the second half, Thomas More out-scored Geneva, 49-36, at it went on to the 89-52 victory. The Saints made 38 field goals in the game, while holding Geneva to 34 field goal attempts. Thomas More recorded a season-high 31 steals off the 43 Golden Tornado turnovers.
Sophomore guard/forward Sydney Moss (St. Albans, W.Va./Boone County (Ky.)) scored a game-high 26 points, while junior guard Sydni Wainscott (Erlanger, Ky./Simon Kenton) joined in double-figures with 10. Junior forward Jenny Burgoyne (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley) and junior guard Stephanie Krusling (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) just missed double-figures with nine points each. Sophomore forward Alexis Santamaria (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) led the team on the boards with five rebounds, while Moss led the team in assists with five, while senior guard Devin Beasley (Burlington, Ky./Conner) added four. Sophomore guard Olivia Huber (Woodlawn, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) led the team in steals with eight.
The Saints return to action on Saturday (February 8) when they host PAC rival Washington & Jefferson College on Crestview Hills Day at the Connor Convocation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.