Bison Women's Basketball Falls to Top-Ranked Thomas More

Jan. 6 - BETHANY, W. Va. - The Bethany College women's basketball team fell to the #1 Saints of Thomas More College, 118-66, on Wednesday evening. The defending National Champion Saints came into the contest ranked first in Division III by D3hoops.com.

The Bison would attack first, scoring the first points of the contest in the opening minute on a jumper by Gabrielle Naples (Salem, Ohio/South Range). Although the Saints responded quickly, the Green & White played well in the first stanza, capturing 24 points in the opening quarter. A large part of Bethany's early success came from the reserves, who outscored Thomas More's bench by 10 points in the initial frame. 

Behind sophomore forward Kelsea Daugherty (Newport, Ohio/Frontier), the Bison would hold their own  in the second quarter as well. Daugherty fueled Bethany's offense in the first half, registering 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field.

Thomas More would come out of the gates strong in the second half. This proved too much for the Green & White, as the Saints continued to extend their lead en route to handing the Bison their second conference defeat of the season.

Offensively in the contest, the Green & White were led by Hayley Holenka (Shadyside, Ohio/Shadyside), whose success from behind the arc continued. Holenka finished the game with 15 points, including shooting three-of-six from deep. 

Others who rounded out the scoring for Bethany included Mikyla Tipton (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville) with eight points, and Daugherty, who finished with ten. Daugherty also proved efficient on the boards, pulling down a team-high six rebounds.

The Bison will be back in action on Saturday, January 9 when they host the Yellow Jackets of Waynesburg University in a conference matchup. The contest is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip.