Women's Basketball: Bethany's Comeback Falls Short in PAC Semifinals Against W&J

Washington, Pa. – The #5 Bethany College Bison fell 55-47 to #1 Washington & Jefferson Presidents in the Presidents' Athletic Conference semifinal game.

GAME FLOW

• The Bison battled with the Presidents after trailing by as many as 20 points in the first half. 
• The Bison and the Presidents both battled back and forth in the first quarter, with the Presidents taking an 18-13 lead heading into the second quarter.
• In the second quarter, W&J dominated Bethany, pulling ahead by 20 points. Bethany was outscored 17-2 in the second stanza.
• The Bison were given opportunities to score, but shot a cold 18.8 percent from the field in the first half.
• Bethany turned it around in the second half, outscoring the Presidents 32-20.
• Courtney Walker scored 10 points in the third to help bring the Bison within twelve heading into the fourth quarter.
• The Presidents led 46-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
• Walker connected on a pair of foul shots to kick start the final stanza. The Bison cut the lead to single-digits after a Walker layup. The Presidents led 46-37 with 9:24 to go in the fourth.
• Bethany used an 8-0 run to cut the W&J lead to three, 48-45 with 1:48 left in the game.
• The Presidents answered back, using an old-fashion three point play to take a six point lead.
• Bethany pulled within four, 51-47 with under a minute from a pair of Makenzee Mason free-throws.
• The Bison were unable to cut the deficit any further and fell 55-47.

IN THE BOX SCORE

• Courtney Walker led all scorers with 19 points. 17 of her 19 points came in the second half. She had six rebounds and one assist.
• Sophomore Makenzee Mason added nine points and five rebounds. She also dished out a team high four assists.
• Freshman Lindsey Garrison added nine points.
• Taylor Stinnett pulled in a team high 11 rebounds (8 offensive).

GAME NOTES

• The Bison reached the semifinals for the first time since the 2011-12 season and the first time under sixth year head coach Brian Sansom.
• Freshman Lindsey Garrison finished the season with 75 made three pointers, setting the single-season made three-pointers record at Bethany College.
• Senior Taylor Stinnett finished her career with 60 career blocks, including 42 this season. She ranks third in the PAC with 1.6 blocks per game this season.
• The Bison finish the season 15-11 (9-8 PAC). The 15 wins marks the most wins in the Sansom era and the first time since 2011-12.