HOLLAND, Mich. (Dec. 13) – Six Bearcats scored in double figures as the Saint Vincent women's basketball earned a 93-60 over Saint Mary's (Ind.) in the consolation game of the Post-Exam Jam Tournament at the DeVos Fieldhouse, on the campus of Hope College.
With the victory Saint Vincent improved to 7-1 overall. Saint Mary's dropped to 3-6 on the season.
Saint Mary's (Ind.) actually got out to a good start, scoring the game's first four points before building a 6-3 lead over the first two minutes of action before Saint Vincent slowly took control.
Junior guard Jill Kegg connected on a three point field goal and then hit a jumper to provide five straight points for SVC. Those baskets gave the Bearcats their first lead of the first half at 8-6 with 16:19 to play.
Saint Mary's cut the deficit to two points at 20-18 with 9:17 to play in the half. Sophomore guard Hannah Carroll responded with a three pointer to push the Bearcats lead back to five points. Saint Vincent pushed its lead into double digits when sophomore guard Mara Benvenuti made a layup and junior forward Shalia Williams sunk two free throws at the 4:46 mark.
The Bearcats saw their lead fall back to single digits with 2:35 to play in the half before SVC rattled off a 10-3 run to finish the half. That run was highlighted by a pair of three pointers from sophomore guard Jasmine Weems, who poured in 13 first half points. Saint Vincent held a 48-32 advantage after the first 20 minutes.
Saint Vincent left no doubt in the second half as they continued their strong shooting day. The Bearcats pushed its lead over 20 points early in the second half and continued to pour it on before finishing off the comfortable victory.
Weems and Kegg each tallied 13 points to lead the Bearcats well rounded offensive attack. Carroll and junior Drew Meeker each chipped in 11 points, while senior Ally Schmidt rounded out the Bearcats in double figures in scoring with 10 points while also dishing out a game-high six assists.
Graduate forward Taylor Mathers finished with eight points and seven rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. Mathers was named to the all-tournament after combined to scoring 31 points and pull down 20 rebounds on the weekend.
SVC shot 53.1 percent from the field, making 34 of 64 attempted shots. The Bearcats poured in a season-high 15 three pointers, converting them on 30 attempts for a percentage of 50 percent. Saint Vincent held a slight advantage in rebounding (38-36).
The Bearcats are now off until traveling to Nashville, Tenn. for a tournament on Monday, Dec. 29. Saint Vincent faces Maine Maritime Academy. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.