Jan 28, 2012
The Bethany College women's basketball team marked another tally in the win column Saturday afternoon in a PAC match-up over the Chatham Cougars with a 77-67 victory.
The Cougars, however, came out firing in the first half shooting 53.1% from the field and held as large as an 11-point lead at one time. Chatham's Lizz King scored 13, while Carley Zelenak added another 11 to propel the Cougars to a 39-33 lead by the end of the first 20 minutes. While only shooting 32.4% from the field, Bethany was able to hang on by netting 7-for-10 key free throws, as Chatham struggled from the line, going only 3-for-8.
Senior forward Renee Shepherd led the Bison in the first half with seven points, while senior guard Audra Droginske provided an additional six.
Chatham increased their lead by as much as eight in the opening minutes of the second half, but BC came right back with a key run. A 14-2 push was capped off when Bethany senior guard Anne Wilson turned Zelenak's missed lay-up into a three-point play, thanks to Shepherd's rebound and assist, giving the Bison a 47-45 lead.
With a two-point lead and 16:21 left to go in final half, the Green & White increased their lead to as much as 13 at one point and held on to the advantage for the remaining time. Shining in the second half was junior guard Kayla Taormina who led Bethany with 19 points in the second half, and finished the game with a team-high 24 to also match her career-high. Droginske scored 15, while senior forward Katelynn Hackathorn dominated in the paint with 13 boards.
The Bison, now 12-7 and 8-4 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), have six remaining conference games in the regular season. BC travels to Thomas More next on Wednesday, Feb. 1st. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.