Women's Hoops Tames Tomcats

Feb. 8 – BETHANY, W.Va. – The Bethany College women's basketball team received a career night from sophomore Sami Schott (Caldwell, Ohio/Shenandoah), en route to an impressive 78-61 win over Presidents' Athletic Conference foe Thiel College, on Saturday afternoon.

The Tomcats started the game strong, scoring the first eight points of the contest, to take an early eight-point lead. The run was capped off, when Jaclyn Watkins converted on a lay in at the 16:59 mark of the first half.

The Bison would respond, however, going on a 23-14 run over the next six minutes, giving them a one-point advantage (23-22). The scoring outburst was completed with a basket by Gabrielle Naples (Salem, Ohio/South Range) with 6:17 to play in the first stanza.

Thiel would then embark on an 8-2 run, retaking a five-point lead (30-25), with 3:15 remaining in the opening period. Taylor Ketler finished the run off after converting on a drive to the basket.

The Bison would end the first half strong, outscoring the Tomcats 9-0, to claim a 34-30 half time lead. The run was capped off, when Taylor Verrico nailed a triple with four seconds left to give Bethany momentum heading into the locker room.

In the first period, the Bison was spot on from deep, hitting 4-of-10 triples (.400), including two from Lauren Simpson (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and one apiece from both Skylar Williams (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) and Verrico.

The second half saw the Bison control both ends of the court, pushing their lead to as many as 19 points (71-52), before cruising to an easy 78-61 victory.

The Bison were led by Schott, who recorded her fourth double-double of the year, grabbing a career-high 17 rebounds and scoring a game-high 18 points.

Verrico, Mikyla Tipton (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville), and Naples also did their part in ensuring the victory. Verrico tallied 12 points and three rebounds, while Tipton chipped in 11 points and two steals. Naples continued her strong season, posting 10 points and four rebounds.

The women will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 12, when they travel to Pittsburgh, Pa., to take on Chatham University. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.