Dec 07, 2011
Senior Audra Droginske came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points to lead four scorers in double digits, as the Bethany College women's basketball team won its fourth game in a row with a 72-48 victory at Chatham Wednesday night.
In addition to taking their winning streak to four games, the Bison (4-3) also improved their PAC record to 3-0, the first time BC has started league play with three straight wins since 2006-07. The Cougars fell to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
The teams were tied at 10-10 when Bethany took control near the midway point of the period. Senior Anne Wilson hit for four points and Droginske buried a three to complete a 12-0 spurt. Chatham managed to get within six later in the half, but another trey from Droginske, as well as baskets from senior Katelynn Hackathorn and Wilson in the final minute of the half sent BC into the locker room with a 33-22 halftime advantage.
Bison junior Kayla Taormina hit a jumper on the opening possession of the second half, but the Cougars' Andie Gaetano scored four consecutive hoops to trim the Green and White lead to 35-30. That would be the final run in the home team, as Bethany took control for good with a huge run.
A Wilson jumper and Droginske three instigated a 22-3 surge that swelled the Bison cushion to 57-33. Droginske dropped in the final six points of the run with two lay-ups and a pair of free throws and Chatham wasn't able to get closer than 18 the rest of the game. By the end of the night, Bethany had a 46-36 rebounding advantage, including a 21-11 margin on the offensive glass, and BC forced 23Cougar turnovers.
Droginske's 17 markers came on 5-for-6 shooting, including a trio of triples. Wilson finished with 12 points, as did Taormina, who also grabbed 11 boards for a double-double. Sophomore Skylar Williams posted 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
For Chatham, Gaetano totaled 14 points, six rebounds and three assists and Marguerite Sargent chipped in a dozen points and three steals.
The Bison winning streak will face a significant challenge Saturday when they host five-time defending champion Thomas More. The Saints, who bested Washington & Jefferson 63-43 Wednesday, are off to a 5-1 start this year and are unbeaten in three PAC games. Saturday's tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.