WASHINGTON, Pa. – Lights out shooting in the second half guided visiting Saint Vincent (12-4, 7-0 PAC) to a 72-59 victory over the Washington & Jefferson College women's basketball team (11-5, 6-1 PAC) in Presidents' Athletic Conference play Wednesday evening inside Salvitti Family Gymnasium.

Katie Kovalchick (Shelocta, Pa./Indiana Area) led the Presidents in the loss with 16 points and eight rebounds. Riley DeRubbo (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and Stellanie Loutsion (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) also scored in double figures with 13 points and 10 points, respectively.

In a matchup the two lone remaining league unbeatens, the first half featured seven lead changes and four ties. Saint Vincent came out strong and built an early 5-0 lead. Back-to-back layups by Loutsion and Kovalchick helped the Presidents get going offensively. Later in the first quarter, consecutive field goals by Jacey Mullen (New Springfield, Ohio/Springfield Local) and Loutsion allowed W&J to take its first lead, a 12-11 advantage with 3:07 to play. Saint Vincent held a narrow 15-14 lead after the opening quarter.

W&J pushed in front again early in the second quarter. Seven-straight points, which included a three-point field goal by DeRubbo and a layup by Raegan Kadlecik (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour), made it 23-18 in favor of the Presidents. A few minutes later, a triple by Kovalchick helped preserve the lead at 26-21. W&J continued to lead but some late action by Saint Vincent helped the visitors close the deficit to 30-29 at the halftime break.

The second half belonged to Saint Vincent. The Bearcats shot a blistering 78.6 percent from the field in the third quarter. Saint Vincent connected on 11 of 14 attempts and made four-of-five attempts from three-point range during the quarter. On the flip side, W&J connected on just three field goals in the third as they were outscored by a 28-13 margin.

The two teams played to a near even fourth quarter. However, the damage was done as the Bearcats secured their first win at W&J since the 2019-20 season.

Saint Vincent used its depth to down W&J. All nine Bearcats to see action scored in the victory. Makenna Maier led the visitors with 15 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Saint Vincent made 51.9 percent (27-52) from the field and 46.7 percent (7-15) from three-point range. The Bearcats outpaced the Presidents by a decisive 27-9 margin in bench points. 

Meanwhile, W&J out-rebounded SVC by a 35-30 margin. The Presidents connected on all 19 attempts from the free throw line in the loss. 

W&J hosts Allegheny College for its annual Alumni Day on Saturday (January 24). Tip off for the league matchup is scheduled for 1 p.m.