TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - Both higher seeded teams were victorious Tuesday night in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals, as third-seeded Chatham University and fourth-seeded Grove City College advanced to the semifinals with home-court wins.
Chatham (20-5) nearly saw a 16-point lead slip away against sixth-seeded Bethany College, but managed to hang on at the end for a 61-59 triumph. Grove City (16-10) controlled their game with the five-seed Saint Vincent College throughout in a 58-38 victory.
The two teams who win in Thursday's semifinals will meet in the PAC Tournament Championship game Saturday at the highest remaining seed.
Tuesday. Feb. 25 (Quarterfinal Round 1 - Pittsburgh, Pa.)
#3 Chatham 61, #6 Bethany 59
The Cougars started strong, outshooting the Bison 18-13 in the first quarter while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor. Bethany fought back and tied the game at 19-19 in the second quarter with a jumper from Lindsey Garrison, but Chatham quickly responded with seven unanswered points. Hannah Chenault sparked the run, knocking down the first of her three three-pointers in the quarter, helping the Cougars take a commanding 41-27 lead into halftime.
The second half opened with a defensive battle, as both teams struggled to score for nearly two minutes. Chatham’s Charjae Brock finally broke the silence with a layup, but Bethany’s Kaedlee Potter responded with back-to-back baskets, with the Cougars leading 43-31. Garrison followed with consecutive three-pointers to keep the Bison within striking distance, but back-to-back three from Chenault triggered a 10-0 Cougars' run and Chatham maintained control, leading 58-42 heading into the final ten minutes.
Bethany made a late push, outscoring Chatham 17-3 in the fourth quarter. Potter scored nine of those points for the BiIson, who cut the deficit to just two points. However, the Cougars held on when a late Bethany three-pointer was off the mark to secure the victory.
Chenault hit five three-pointers and led all scorers with 17 points while also hauling down a team-high eight rebounds. Other double-digit scorers included Alyssa Laukus with 16 and Brock with 10.
Bethany's upset attempt was led by Potter with 13 points and eight rebounds and Garrison with 10 points.
The Cougars will travel to Meadville, Pa., to face No. 2 Allegheny College on Thursday in a PAC Semifinal game. The Gators defeated Chatham in both regular season contests.
Tuesday. Feb. 25 (Quarterfinal Round 1 - Grove City, Pa.)
No. 4 Grove City 58, No. 5 Saint Vincent 38
Grove City never trailed Tuesday night, as they jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, led 23-15 at halftime and then broke open the game with a 17-5 run in the third quarter.
In the game-deciding surge after halftime, senior Mara Polczynski scored twice in a 15-second span early in the third quarter while a lay-up by Meredith Sherrerd gave Grove City a 29-15 lead. Senior Clara Hannon and sophomore Sarah Pifer both cashed in three-pointers during the quarter while junior Reese Hasley and senior Jaden Davinsizer each scored in the paint.
The Wolverines led 43-27 after three quarters. Hannon's three-pointer and six straight Sherrerd points early in the fourth quarter helped sew up the victory.
Sherrerd led Grove City with 16 points while Hasley fired in 13 points and Polczynski recorded a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double for the Wolverines, who finished the game with a 51-33 advantage on the glass and forced 20 Saint Vincent turnovers.
Emily Thompson led Saint Vincent with 12 points, while Camdon Bashor totaled 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
With the win, Grove City advances to play at #1 Washington & Jefferson College in the semifinals Thursday. The Presidents won both meetings during the regular season, including a 65-44 triumph at home Jan. 29th. Tip-off in Washington for the semifinal is set for 7 pm.
2024-25 PAC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament Schedule
Quarterfinals - Tuesday, Feb. 25
#3 Chatham 61, #6 Bethany 59 - Box Score
#4 Grove City 58, #5 Saint Vincent 38 - Box Score
Semifinals - Thursday, Feb. 27
#3 Chatham (20-5, 17-3 PAC) at #2 Allegheny (18-7, 17-3 PAC) - 7 pm
#4 Grove City (16-10, 13-7 PAC) at #1 Washington & Jefferson (21-4, 18-2 PAC) - 7 pm
Finals - Saturday, March 1
at highest remaining seed - game time TBA