Jan 12, 2013
The Bethany women's basketball team stayed right with Washington & Jefferson for the majority of Saturday's game, but could not overcome 32 percent shooting and suffered a 64-56 defeat to the Presidents.
Junior Taylor Verrico scored the game's first five points and the Bison (5-10, 3-5) would hold the advantage for more than 10 minutes to start the match-up. The highlight of the opening stanza came when BC freshman Mikyla Tipton blocked a three-point attempt, gathered in the rebound, dribbled to the rim at the other end and scored while getting fouled. She made the free throw to complete the conventional three-point play and Bethany had its largest lead of the game at 17-10 with 10:56 to play.
The Presidents (11-4, 6-2) answered right back with the next nine points, seven coming from Chelsea Apke, to take their first lead of the game. After four ties, W&J recorded nine of the final 13 points of the half to take a 32-27 lead into the break. Apke led all scorers with 11 at the break, while three different Bison, including Verrico, Tipton and sophomore Monica Westerheide, all had seven first-half points.
W&J extended their lead out to eight points in the second half, but a three-pointer by junior Skylar Williams and lay-up by freshman Brianna Nuzum brought BC right back within three at 41-38 with 12 minutes left. Bethany would never get closer than that the rest of the game however, as Apke scored two straight buckets and a three by Alexa DelGreco took the visitors' lead to 48-38. The margin grew to as much as 12 before the Bison scored the final four points to make the closing margin eight points.
For the Bison, senior Kayla Taormina notched her fourth double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Verrico also scored double digits for the seventh straight game with 12. Tipton had a nice game off the bench with nine points and Williams passed off a game-high five assists.
Bethany had a hard time slowing down the Presidents' inside duo of Apke, who recorded 19 points and 16 boards, and center Valerie Dunlap, who finished with 13 markers and eight boards.
The road does not get easier for the Bison in their next outing, as they host 10th-ranked and PAC leader Thomas More Wednesday night. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. tip-off.