Bethany Women’s Basketball Defeats Thiel, 77-60

Dec. 5 – BETHANY, W. Va. - The Bethany College women's basketball team earned another Presidents' Athletic Conference victory by defeating Thiel, 77-60, on Saturday afternoon.

The Bison (4-2, 2-0 PAC) jumped out to a 9-2 lead over the Tomcats (0-7, 0-2 PAC) to start the contest. Bethany got two baskets from both Mikyla Tipton (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville) and Gabrielle Naples (Salem, Ohio/South Range) to take the early lead.

Bethany finished the quarter strong, holding a 23-15 advantage at the break. The Bison outscored Thiel 18-8 in the paint.

The Green & White extended their lead to 12 with 7:11 to play in the second after Rachel Devine (Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton) knocked down a jumper.

Thiel, however, responded with an 11-2 run to cut the Bison lead to three over the next seven minutes. Two late free throws from Kelsea Daugherty (Newport, Ohio/Frontier) made it a five-point Bison advantage (35-30) at the half.

The third quarter saw the Bison take complete control of the game. Bethany outscored Thiel 26-11 in the quarter, scoring 13 points off turnovers and once again dominating the Tomcats inside, 14-2.

The Green & White controlled the offensive glass throughout the third period, scoring 12 second-chance points on nine offensive rebounds.

Bethany College continued to attack the Tomcat defense in the fourth, scoring 14 bench points in the quarter. 12 different Bison scored at least two points in the second half, alone.

Offensively, Bethany received contributions from multiple players. Daugherty led the Bison with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Tipton finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Gabrielle Naples added 11 points, six boards, and five assists of her own.

Devine and Hayley Holenka (Shadyside, Ohio/Shadyside) scored six points, while Kelsi Settle (Sebring, Ohio/Sebring), Taylor Large (Hopwood, Pa./Laurel Highlands) and Maclaine Murad (Bridgeport, Ohio/Bridgeport) had four points, each.

Junior guard Alexis Naples (Salem, Ohio/South Range) paced the Bison offense with four assists as the Green & White collected 15 assists on the day.

Defensively, the Bethany defense remained active all game, forcing 22 turnovers. The Bison tallied 13 steals and held the Tomcats to 31.7% shooting.

Bethany College will return to the court on Monday, December 12 as they welcome Carnegie Mellon at 7:00 p.m.