LATROBE, Pa. -- Washington & Jefferson outscored Saint Vincent by 22 combined points in the first and fourth quarters to pull out a 76-58 win on the road.
The win, W&J's ninth in a row, improves the Presidents to 19-3 overall on the season and 14-1 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, setting up a meeting with between the top two teams in the league on Saturday, Feb. 13 when No. 1-ranked and defending National Champion Thomas More comes to the Henry Memorial Center for a 1 p.m. tip-off. The game will be a "Red Out" as all fans are encouraged to wear red to support the Presidents and boost awareness for heart health.
The Bellhy sisters led the Presidents on the night, combining for 40 points and 15 rebounds.
Rachel Bellhy led all players with 21 points (on 9-of-12 from the field) and also collected eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in just 22 minutes.
Beka Bellhy was right behind her at 19 points (including 7-of-12 from the floor) and seven rebounds.
Taylor Cortazzo joined the sisters in double figures at 12 points, eight of which came in the second half, and dished out five assists.
Danielle Parker added eight points and eight rebounds, the 10th time this season she has recorded at least eight-plus boards in a game.
Danni Medovich dished out a game-best six helpers.
W&J used a 21-9 advantage in the first quarter and 16-15 showing in the second quarter to hold a 37-24 lead at intermission. The hosts used a 19-14 third quarter, including getting the game within four points at one point, to cut into the margin through 30 minutes, but after an early three-pointer by SVC started the scoring of the final stanza, W&J scored 23 of the next 29 points to win going away.
Note: The first edition of the NCAA Division III Regional Rankings, which are used to determine NCAA Tournament at-large (Pool C) berths, were released on Wednesday and W&J appeared at ninth in the Great Lakes Region. Thomas More is the top team in the region, per the rankings.
