All five starters scored in double figures as the Saint Vincent women's basketball team earned a 98-42 victory over Thiel in Presidents' Athletic Conference play at the Carey Center.
 
Thiel opened the scoring, with the game's first points of the game 17:25 mark. After starting off down by two points, the Bearcats scored back-to-back baskets to take a 5-2 lead. The first of which was a three-point shot from senior Jessica Welch, and the second a layup by junior Shalia Williams. Following the five points put in by SVC to give the Bearcats and early 5-2 lead, Thiel drove down the court to put the Tomcats within one, at 5-4. Shortly after, SVC began a 22-5 run to seize control of the game.
 
A three-point jumper by Mara Benvenuti started the Bearcats' scoring spree. Benvenuti would connect immediately after on a layup, followed by a drive to the net and a basket by senior Ally Schmidt.  Thiel did put in a three to make the score 12-7, but the Bearcats answered right back.
 
Forward Taylor Mathers banked a shot in and then Welch nailed another three and followed it up with a layup. Mathers connected again for two, as did Jasmine Weems. Hannah Carroll scored the final points of the Bearcats' run, putting up the next four points. The run came to an end at the 8:12 mark, when the Tomcats narrowed the score to 27-11.
 
After fighting to draw closer to SVC, Thiel went on to make the score 30-18. Although Thiel looked to be on the verge of getting back into the game, the Bearcats went on a 20-4 run for the remaining 6:13 of the half. Benvenuti connected on two threes as well as a layup, while Williams put in four more points for the Bearcats.
 
Mathers also added four points throughout the run, one from under the net and one off of a jumper. With under a minute left in the half, Welch hit a three, followed by a steal and layup by Schmidt to give the Bearcats a comfortable 50-22 lead at halftime.
 
Starting the second half up by 28 points, SVC gradually continued to increase their lead.  Together, Mathers and Schmidt scored the next eight points to start off the half strong. The Bearcats then went on another big run, this time adding a 12-3 scoring advantage.
 
Williams made up half of the Bearcats' run, scoring six points from the 16:04 to the 13:01 marks. The other half of the run consisted of a three by Benvenuti, as well as a basket from Mathers and a free throw put in by Schmidt.
 
Throughout the remainder of the game, the Tomcats would only score 13 more points, opposed to the Bearcats' 21.  Among the remaining SVC scores, Drew Meeker put in four points. Maggie Kimmich hit a jumper with 7:26 remaining and also added another point on a free throw in the final minute of the game.
 
Saint Vincent closed out the game with 98 points, falling just short of the century mark.
With the win, SVC improved to 21-3 overall and 15-2 in the PAC.  Thiel dropped to 5-19 overall and 4-13 in the PAC.
 
All five of Saint Vincent's starters finished the game with double-digit points. Benvenuti finished with 20, while Mathers chipped in 14. Williams added 12 points, while Schmidt and Welch both added 11. Schmidt also tied a career-high nine assists in the win.  Both Welch and Benvenuti were perfect on three-point attempts, Benvenuti going a perfect 4-4 while Welch hitting 3-3.
 
The Bearcats wrap up the regular season when they face No. 1 ranked and undefeated Thomas More at the Carey Center on Saturday, February 21. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. Before the game, Saint Vincent will honor Schmidt and Welch for Senior Day.