Bearcats open quick lead, overpower Westminster

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After opening a 15-2 lead in the game's first five minutes, the Saint Vincent Bearcats rolled to an 87-54 win over visiting Westminster College in a Presidents' Athletic Conference game.

Taylor Mathers opened the scoring just over a minute into play, and the Titans answered 30 seconds later.  Saint Vincent then went on a 13-point run in just a three-minute span, using strong shooting and a tough defense that created multiple turnovers.  Shalia Williams had five points during the run.

After Westminster's Jenna Grandy hit a pair of three-pointers that helped cut the margin to 17-8, the Bearcats once again took control, outscoring the Titans by a 16-2 margin in a five-minute stretch.  Mathers tallied 7 points during the run, while Jessica Welch added six, off a three-pointer and a conventional three-point play.

Consecutive threes by Drew Meeker and Mara Benvenuti ran the lead to 39-12 at the 6:30 mark of the first half.  Later, Meeker scored off an assist from Williams, then Williams hit a baseline jumper to make it 45-14 at the 4:50 mark.  Susie Ellis then scored six straight points for SVC, helping the team to pull away to a 60-19 lead at the half.

A steal and coast-to-coast drive by Benvenuti at the 14:30 mark of the second half made the score 70-24, and the Bearcats rested their starters much of the remainder of the game, spreading out both points and minutes en route to a 33-point victory.

Mathers, Williams and Benvenuti each scored 11 points to lead the offense, while Welch added 10.  Schmidt scored 9 points to go along with 7 assists and 5 steals, in just 16 minutes on the court.

Williams led the team with 7 rebounds while Mathers garnered six.  

With the win, the Bearcats improve to 19-2 overall, 13-1 in the PAC.  The team returns to action on Wednesday at Washington & Jefferson.  Tipoff is 8PM.