No. 11 Thomas More Edges W&J
CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. -- Eleventh-ranked Thomas More made 10 three-pointers en route to a 61-57 victory over Washington & Jefferson College in Presidents’ Athletic Conference women’s basketball action from the Connor Center on Saturday.
The Presidents (6-2, 3-1) fell despite 13 points and 14 rebounds from junior Chelsea Apke (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon). Sophomore Valerie Dunlap (Hostetter, Pa./Latrobe) collected 14 points and seven rebounds, while freshman Beka Bellhy (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) added 12 points and five boards.
W&J built an eight-point lead behind hot shooting during the first half. The Presidents connected on six consecutive shots during a 17-7 run that was capped off by a three-pointer from junior Alex Bernardi (Saint Clair, Mich./Saint Clair), as W&J took a 25-17 lead.
Devin Beasley helped Thomas More battle back late in the half. Beasley’s triple with 1:10 remaining gave TMC the lead after 20 minutes, 35-34.
The Saints maintained their slim lead throughout the first 15 minutes of the second half. Apke put the Presidents back in front with a layup at the 4:35 mark, but four-straight points from Beasley pushed TMC back into the lead.
Bellhy brought W&J within two with a three-pointer, but Thomas More held the Presidents scoreless over the final 1:07. Allison Long clinched the Saints’ victory by draining a pair of free throws with 11 seconds left.
W&J shot 39 percent (20-51) from the field and hit 12-of-14 free throws, led by Apke’s 7-for-8 effort at the stripe. The Presidents held a 42-31 advantage on the boards, but were marred by 22 turnovers.
Beasley led the Saints, who shot 37 percent (23-62), with 15 points off the bench. Katie Kitchen netted 14 points, including four three-pointers, while Long added 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists. TMC drilled 10-of-31 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Presidents have a 12-day break before travelling to Cleveland, Ohio on Dec. 20, for a non-conference game with Case Western Reserve (6:00 pm).
