Women's Basketball: Fourth quarter flurry propels Presidents past Bison

WASHINGTON, Pa. – Bethany College women's basketball suffered a 63-53 loss to Washington & Jefferson College inside the Salvitti Family Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.

GAME FLOW

• Both teams struggled to find a rhythm early. The first basket of the game didn't fall until the 5:11 mark when Sarah Beradelli made a jumper. Makenzee Mason put Bethany on the board after hitting a pair of free throws with just under five minutes to go in the first. Ashleigh Wheeler put the Bison ahead with a three and Alyssa Serensky made a layup to give the Bison a 7-3 lead.
• Both teams were knotted at 11-11 after the first stanza.
• The Bison and Presidents exchanged baskets to open the second quarter and went back and forth through the opening minutes. The Presidents would hold a 35-28 lead at the half.
• Bethany started the second half on a 10-0 run to take a three point lead over W&J. The Presidents broke the Bison's scoring run with a three from Meghan Dryburgh at the 4:26 mark of the third. The Presidents held the lead for a few minutes but Mason would hit a three for the Bison to give the Green and White a narrow, 45-44 lead heading into the final quarter.
• The fourth quarter was scoreless until the 6:54 mark when the Presidents took a 46-45 lead. Lindsey Garrison would give the Bison back the lead after hitting a three. Both teams continued to exchange baskets and the lead. Back-to-back three pointers by the Presidents gave them a 55-51 lead with under four minutes to go. The Presidents extended their lead to six after a Dryburgh layup. The Bison would attempt to extend the game trying to catch the Presidents but would fall 63-53.

IN THE BOX SCORE

• Makenzee Mason led the Bison with 17 points. She pulled down five rebounds and went a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe.
• Ashleigh Wheeler added 13 points with four assists.
• Kate Botti led the Bison on the boards with eight rebounds.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Bethany shot a perfect 11-for-11 from the foul line.
• Washington & Jefferson shot 40.0% from the field and 40.9% from behind the arc.
• The Presidents held the advantage on the boards with 40 rebounds and Bethany had 36.
• Despite forcing 10 turnovers, the Bison only scored two points off of Presidents' turnovers. The Presidents scored 15 points off of Bethany's nine turnovers.

RECORDS

Bethany College – 5-4 (3-2 PAC)

Washington & Jefferson College – 5-1 (3-1 PAC)

UP NEXT

Bethany returns to action on Tuesday, December 12, when they host Grove City College in a PAC matchup beginning at 5:30 pm.