WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Thiel College women's basketball team was unable to overcome a sub-par shooting performance as they were defeated by The Presidents of Washington & Jefferson by a score of 75-39. 

The Presidents jumped out to a quick seven point lead as a jump shot by Venessa Rivera put the Presidents up by a score of 9-2. The Tomcats would then battle back to cut the W&J lead to three as a jumper from freshman forward Kathryn Fife (Canonsburg, Pa., Peters Township) cut the lead to 15-12. Thiel could get no closer in the half as Washington & Jefferson closed out the half on a 19-10 run to take a 34-22 lead into the half. 

Thiel came out flat in the second half and the Presidents were able to take advantage as they opened half number two on a 24-4 run capped off by a Courtney Walsh lay-up to make the score 58-26. The W&J defense held the Tomcat offense to 14 percent shooting from the field in the second half and ran away from the Tomcats, outscoring them 41-17 in the half to make the final 75-39. 

No Tomcat was able to score in double figures but freshman forward Leanna Yeager (Poland, Ohio, Poland Seminary) and sophomore guard Kelly Muffley (Salsburg, Pa., Western Reserve Academy) led the way for Thiel scoring eight points apiece. Washington & Jefferson (3-5, 1-0 PAC) saw even distribution of the ball as three Presidents scored in double figures to hand the Tomcats their seventh loss of the season. 

Thiel will be back in action on Sunday December 19th, when they play Hiram College in Greenville. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.