Bellhy Nets Career High; Presidents Drop Fourth In A Row
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson junior guard Zach Bellhy (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) poured in a career-high 34 points, including 23 in the second half, but it was not enough as Thomas More earned an 84-74 PAC victory Saturday afternoon at the Henry Memorial Center.
Bellhy made 9-of-14 shots and 12-of-14 free throws in 27 minutes of action before fouling out.
The Saints (13-7, 8-3 PAC) used a late 6-0 spurt to grab a 41-33 lead at halftime. Todd Krohman made four three-pointers in the first half to lead TMC.
The Presidents (6-13, 2-8 PAC) fought back to tie the game (48-48) on a Bellhy triple four minutes into the second half, but Thomas More took back control of the game with a 16-5 run over the next five minutes. Colt Stafford had seven points during the spurt.
Stafford’s jumper at the 8:32 mark pushed the lead to 70-56 and W&J was only able to bring the lead down to six points in the final minute before free throws iced the Saints’ win.
Stafford had a team-high 19 points, while Cameron Clemons and Daniel Whelan added 15. Thomas More shot 47 percent (24-of-51), nailed 11-of-24 shots from three-point range and made 25-of-37 free throws. The TMC defense forced 18 turnovers.
Bellhy added four rebounds and two assists for the Presidents, who shot 48 percent (25-of-52). Freshman guard Andy Carter (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) was the only other President in double figures with 16 points. W&J held a 32-30 edge on the glass.
The Presidents will look to snap their four-game losing streak on Wednesday when taking on Westminster in New Wilmington, Pa., at 8:00 pm.
