PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Tomcat women's basketball team earned their seventh conference victory of the season as the defeated the Cougars of Chatham University 76-54 on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

After the Cougars took an early 5-2 lead to start the game, the Tomcats took the 6-5 lead on back-to-back layups by Ashley Davis (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel) and Kelly Barzak (Warren, OH/Howland) and Thiel never looked back. Up 19-16 and the 10:23 mark of the first half, the Tomcats used scores by four different players, including a three pointer by Kelly Muffley (Salsburg, Pa./Western Reserve Academy) with 9:36 to play, to go on a 9-0 run and put Thiel up 12 with eight minutes remaining. Thiel would keep the lead and remain ahead by double-figures heading into the half at 41-31.

The Tomcats would use the second half to increase their lead, not allowing the Cougars any closer than ten points for the rest of the game, as Thiel would take the contest 76-54.

Thiel was led by Barzak's 20 points and six rebounds. She was joined in double figures by Davis' 12 points, and a 13 point night by Muffley. As a team, Thiel shot 46.4 percent from the field, which was their second best shooting performance of the season. The Tomcats also forced 21 Cougar turnovers, while committing just 10 of thier own, which is a season-best.

The women's basketball team will finish their regular season play on Saturday, February 18 when they host PAC rival Grove City. The Tomcat's senior day contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.