Box Score WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Alexa Burzese fired in three crucial three-pointers to spark Washington and Jefferson and lead the third-seeded Presidents to an 85-81 overtime victory over sixth-seeded Bethany Tuesday night in the Presidents' Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals at the Henry Memorial Center. 

The Presidents (19-7) advance to play second-seeded Saint Vincent Friday night (5:30 pm) at Thomas More in the PAC semifinals.  The host Saints will play Waynesburg in the second semifinal. 

Chelsea Apke nearly had a triple-double for the Presidents with 19 points, 13 rebounds, seven steals and four assists, while Valerie Dunlap contributed 24 points (10-19 FGs) and 10 rebounds.  Both Apke and Dunlap played 41 minutes.  Kara Seamon played all 45 minutes and finished with an 11-point, 11-assist double-double. 

Washington & Jefferson trailed by 16 points (32-16) in the first half before narrowing the gap to 40-33 at the break.  W&J trailed 45-35 four minutes into the second half before starting its comeback.   Burzese knocked down two triples during a 12-0 W&J run that put the hosts ahead 53-49 with 10:48 remaining. 

Apke stretched the lead to 61-52 three minutes later and W&J appeared ready to run away with the win.  However, Bethany refused to go away and back-to-back three-pointers by Taylor Verrico and Lauren Simpson brought BC to within 67-66 at the 3:45 mark. 

Verrico buried another triple with 2:14 left to put Bethany back ahead (71-69).  The Bison had a chance to extend the lead, but missed the front end of a 1-and-1.   Erin Lavery's free throw at the 1:02 mark tied the game (71-71) and neither team was able to score in the final minute.  Bethany had the final chance, but Verrico was unable to get a decent look before time expired. 

Seamon scored the first two baskets for W&J in overtime and Dunlap followed with a bucket for a 77-71 advantage.  Once again, Bethany rallied to close within one, but Burzese nailed her third trifecta to push the lead back to 80-76.  Verrico brought BC back with four-straight free throws, including a pair with 51 seconds left to force another tie. 

Beka Bellhy's turnaround jumper with 34 ticks left gave W&J the lead for good.  Verrico missed a three and Seamon followed with a free throw.  W&J fouled Simpson with 5.8 seconds left and after she made the first, Simpson intentionally missed the second, but Dunlap grabbed the rebound and made both free throws to seal the win. 

Verrico bucketed a game-high 36 points for the Bison.  She made seven of BC's 14 three-pointers (14-28).

W&J defeated Bethany for the third time this season and will now look to turn the tables on Saint Vincent as the Bearcats swept the regular-season series from the Presidents.