LATROBE, Pa. (Nov. 26) - The Saint Vincent women's basketball team suffered a narrow 71-69 defeat to 18th ranked Carnegie Mellon University in non-conference action at the Carey Center. 

The Saint Vincent seniors combined for 51 points in the tough loss. Leading the way was Mara Benvenuti and Jasmine Weems, who each recorded 18 points in the contest. Benvenuti added nine assists, six rebounds and four steals. Weems chipped in six rebounds, four assists and three steals in the setback.

Saint Vincent started fast, gaining an early 9-3 edge after back-to-back baskets from Hannah Carroll and Susie Ellis. The visiting Tartans used a 6-2 run to cut their deficit to 11-9 at the 5:06 mark of the first. Field goals from Benvenuti, Babette Sanmartin and Weems helped SVC extend the lead to 17-11 with 3:30 to play in the opening quarter. 

After a three by CMU made it 17-14 at the 2:39 mark, SVC closed the quarter on a 7-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer by Maria Morgan to end the quarter with SVC up 24-14. 

The Bearcats nearly took a double-digit lead into halftime on the nationally-ranked Tartans but Lisa Murphy completed a three-point play with less than a second left in the half, pulling CMU within seven at 39-32. 

Carnegie Mellon made its run in the third quarter, outscoring Saint Vincent 17-6 in the period. The Tartans used back to back baskets to lead 46-45 with 2:29 left in the third. CMU added a three-pointer just before the buzzer to take a 49-45 edge into the final quarter. 

In the early stages of the fourth, Weems knocked down a clutch three-pointer and added a jumper, helping SVC stay within striking distance. Trailing 55-52 with 7:56 to play, Katie Ryan converted a layup and Benvenuti added a layup and free throw, helping SVC back in front at 57-55. 

After a CMU layup tied things up, Weems drilled a three to make the score 60-57 in favor of the Bearcats. A 5-2 spurt helped CMU tie the game at 62-62 with 4:13 to play. Back-to-back baskets by Benvenuti helped put SVC up 66-64 with 2:06 remaining. The Tartans countered with five straight points, including three free throws to take a 69-66 edge with 17 seconds left. Out of the timeout, Ellis knocked down the game-tying three pointer off of the inbounds pass from Benvenuti, tying the game at 69-69 with nine seconds left.

Unfortunately for SVC, Jackie Hudepohl converted a running jump shot in the lane with 2.8 seconds left, giving CMU a 71-69 lead. Saint Vincent's last second shot attempt came up short. 

Saint Vincent converted 26-of-61 field goals (42.6 percent), while CMU made 29-of-69 shots (42.0 percent). Saint Vincent made eight three-pointers while CMU knocked down seven treys. CMU held a 44-32 rebounding edge and made 12-of-13 at the free throw line. SVC only attempted three free throws in the entire 40 minutes. Saint Vincent forced the Tartans into 19 turnovers while committing just 11 miscues. 

Ellis was the third Bearcat to score in double figures, adding 13 points and five assists. Sanmartin led all players with five steals in the contest, while also leading SVC in rebounds with eight.

Saint Vincent hosts Chatham University on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the Carey Center. Start time is slated for 5:30 p.m. The contest is the PAC opener for both squads.