Early Second-Half Spurt Lifts Bearcats Over Presidents, 77-62
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Chris Klimchock knocked down five three-pointers in the first nine minutes of the second half to lift Saint Vincent College to a 77-62 PAC men’s basketball victory over Washington & Jefferson College on Wednesday evening at the Henry Memorial Center.
Klimchock finished with a team-high 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting from three-point range.
W&J (6-16, 2-11 PAC) fired out to a 15-7 lead behind eight points from the PAC’s leading scorer, junior guard Zach Bellhy (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry). The Presidents held a 23-22 lead with 7:03 remaining in the half; however, seven points from Tauvon Pettiford put the visitors in front 35-31 at halftime.
The Bearcats (17-5, 10-3 PAC) opened the second stanza with a 13-2 run to open a 48-33 advantage five minutes in. Saint Vincent extended its lead to as many as 21 points.
Klimchock led four Bearcats in double figures. Pettiford and Dillon Stith netted 16 points, while Dennis Bassich contributed 10. Stith had a team-high eight rebounds for the Bearcats, who shot 47 percent (29-of-62). SVC made 12-of-28 three-point shots.
Bellhy was the lone President in double figures with 19 points (7-of-17 shooting). He also added seven rebounds and two assists. Senior guard Uchenna Okocha (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/University School) chipped in with six points, eight rebounds and three assists. W&J shot 43 percent (23-of-53).
The Presidents will look to snap a seven-game losing streak on Saturday when hosting Grove City at 4:00 pm.
