Andrew Woodley, Sports Information Director
CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (Jan. 31) - The Bethany College women's basketball team could not overcome a double-digit deficit at halftime and were defeated by No. 4 Thomas More 88-28 Wednesday evening in the two school's final regular-season game as Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opponents.
The Bison fall to 9-11 overall, 6-7 in the PAC. Meanwhile, the Saints, ranked No. 4 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III Top-25 poll, improve to 18-1 overall, including 18-straight wins, and 12-0 in conference play.
Bethany was led by a season-high 10 points from senior Kelsi Settle (Sebring, Ohio/McKinley), who played in a game-high 23 minutes. Settle was 4-of-6 from the field and also recorded a team-best five rebounds.
Thomas More opened up a double-digit lead in the first five minutes of the game and never looked back. Bethany trailed 21-8 at the end of the first quarter and were limited to four points in the second quarter. Thomas More continued to force turnovers in the second half and held the Bison offense to 16 points in the final 20 minutes to wrap up the contest.
Thomas More finished the evening forcing 33 turnovers, which led directly to 49 points for the Saints. Thomas More finished the night 32-of-66 (49 percent) from the field and knocked down 11 three-point shots. The Saints were led by Abby Owings, who finished with game-highs of 20 points and eight steals.
The Bison return home on Saturday, February 3 when they host Thiel College in a PAC game at 1 p.m.
