The Bethany Bison defeated the SVC Bearcats by a score of 73-56 to open Presidents' Athletic Conference play in the Carey Center.
 
The first quarter was all Bethany, as the Bearcats couldn't seem to find the back of the net. The Bison quickly gained a four point lead before junior Hannah Carroll hit a deep trey off a Jasmine Weems assist cutting the Bison advantage to one. Freshman Lucy Bujdos scored on a free throw with 5:21 left in the quarter earning the Bearcats their last basket until 1:33 left in the period. The Bison went on a 7-0 run, until junior Susie Ellis scored on a layup off of a Bearcat inbound pass, making the score 15-6 Bethany.
 
Bethany began right where they left off, growing their advantage to 16 in the second quarter, before sophomore Lauren Donley scored on a deep three. Donely's three would spark the SVC offense, as on the next possession, sophomore Brittany Beckwith scored on a put back, cutting the lead to 27-14 Bison.
 
With 2:28 left in the half, the Bearcats put an impressive 9-0 run together, cutting the deficit to only 6 points at the half. Ellis began the scoring surge, hitting a step-back three to make the score 32-17. Junior Mara Benvenuti pushed a fast break layup to create an and-one opportunity. She would hit the free throw, shrinking the Bethany lead to 12 with 1:49 left. Ellis scored on a hard drive to the net and Benvenuti hit two free throws to close out the first half, as Bethany held a 32-26 advantage heading into the locker rooms.
 
For the Bearcats, Carroll had 8 first half points. For the Bison, Hayley Holenka netted 7.
 
The third quarter was an exciting battle, as both teams scored frequently, possession after possession. Benvenuti got things rolling for the Bearcats, as the junior found the back of the net just 12 seconds into play. Bethany scored nine straight, until freshman Brianna McLaughlin hit a floater making the score 41-30 Bethany.  Ellis would continue to add points to her scoring column, scoring on two straight driving lay-ins, then a trey ball giving the Bison a 51-39 lead with 2:08 left in the third.  McLaughlin and classmate Katie Ryan would both hit free throws to close out the quarter, as the Bison held a 51-41 lead going into the fourth period.
 
McLaughlin scored again early in the fourth, hitting a jumper off an Ellis assist to make it 54-43, but the Bison would go on another lengthy run, giving themselves a 59-43 lead with 6 minutes left in the contest. Benvenuti continued to grind for the Bearcats scoring eight fourth quarter points, highlighted by a fastbreak layup from a Maria Morgan assist. Benvenuti's hustle wasn't quite enough for SVC as they fell to the Bison 73-56.
 
For the Bearcats, Ellis scored a game-high 17 and hauled in 6 rebounds to lead SVC. Benvenuti added 15 and Morgan dished 5 assists. For Bethany, Holenka scored 14 and grabbed 8 boards.

Saint Vincent is 3-3 overall, while Bethany is now 3-2.  The Bearcats are back in action on Saturday, traveling to Geneva for a 5:30 tip.