MEADVILLE, Pa. (Nov. 24) - Behind a strong fourth quarter performance from Maria Morgan, the Saint Vincent College women's basketball team finished off a 72-51 victory over Allegheny College in non-conference play. 

Morgan finished with a game-high 20 points, matching her career-high total. Carlee Kilgus added 12 points, five assists and four steals off of the Bearcat bench to aid in the victory, while Madison Kollar chipped in 10 points nad seven rebounds. 

Saint Vincent jumped out to an early 6-2 lead when Paige Montrose converted a layup at the 8:27 mark of the first quarter. After Allegheny used seven straight points to build a 9-6 advantage, SVC quickly countered to take a 16-14 edge after the first quarter. Kilgus contributed six of the final 10 points of the first quarter to push the Bearcats back in front. 

With the Bearcat lead at 18-17 early in the second quarter, the visitors tallied seven consecutive points to strengthen their advantage to eight points (25-17) at the 7:59 mark. The SVC run was capped with back-to-back baskets by Taylor Boring.

Allegheny would eventually cut the deficit back to three with a layup at the 5:58 mark. However, another 7-0 run gave SVC a double-digit lead for the first time. A jumper by Jenna Lafko and five straight made free throws by Morgan made it 34-24 with 1:55 left in the half. The Gators closed the half with five straight points to make the score 34-29 Bearcats at the break. 

Saint Vincent was able to hold Allegheny at bay for the majority of the third quarter, as the Bearcats would take a 46-40 lead into the fourth. 

The fourth quarter belonged to the Bearcats, as the visitors outscored Allegheny 26-11 over the final 10 minutes. Morgan scored 10 points to key a 14-3 run that helped SVC break open the game for a 60-43 advantage with 6:03 to play. Morgan closed the scoring with another three pointer late in the contest. 

The Bearcat defense once again played a major role in the victory, forcing the Gators to commit 20 turnovers on the afternoon. SVC outscored AC by a 26-9 margin in points off turnovers. The Bearcat bench outscored the Gator bench by a decisive 28-7 margin. Saint Vincent also pulled down 19 offensive rebounds and converted 12 of 16 free throw attempts in the road victory. 

Aside from the three Bearcats that finished in double figures offensively. Boring contributed eight points off of the bench while Stephanie Vaughn pulled down a career-high seven rebounds. 

The win moves Saint Vincent to 3-2 overall, while Allegheny falls to 2-3. 

Saint Vincent opens up Presidents' Athletic Conference action with a key road contest against Washington & Jefferson College on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Start time is slated for 6 p.m.