Beaver Fall, Pa. (December 5, 2009) -- Despite a first half that saw them out shoot their opponents, 46 percent to 33 percent, the Thiel College women's basketball team dropped their fifth game of the young season, 54-61, to the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes on Saturday.

The Tomcat women had their engines revved at the start of the contest as the jumped out to a 22-11 lead over the Golden Tornadoes.  Sophomore forward, Ashley Davis (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel) (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Peters Chanel), powered Thiel along with a strong offensive performance in the first, going 4-for-9 from the floor for eight points.

The Golden Tornadoes, however, refused to give in as the surged back into contention on the strength of a 17-8 run to end the half, bringing the score within two points.

Geneva continued their hot hand from the floor, shooting 43 percent over the second half of the contest, taking the lead away from the visiting 'Cats and going up by as much as eight.  Tomcat guard, Rianne Thornton (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) (Trotwood, Ohio/Madison-Trotwood) helped Thiel battle back into the contest with a 9 point, four rebound second half effort.  

The 'Cats get within one point from the lead, with a little more than two minutes remaining, before Geneva would fire back in the form of six unanswered points to ice the game.

The women of Thiel were led by Thornton's 14 points, six rebound and three steals, while Davis added 12 points along with five rebounds.  Freshman forward, Kelly Barzack (Warren, Ohio/Howland) contributed nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

The women return to action Saturday, Dec. 12 when they face Presidents of Washington and Jefferson come to Greenville, Pa. for a 1 p.m. contest.