NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Thiel Tomcats opened Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play Wednesday with a 69-67 win over the Westminster Titans at Buzz Ridl Gymnasium in New Wilmington, Pa.
 
Thiel jumped out to a big lead, 26-11 after 10 minutes of play, and maintained a 39-27 lead at halftime. Each team scored 13 points in the third frame. The Titans opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run, and Jackie Mathews cut the lead to one point (68-67) on a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining in regulation. However, Westminster would get no closer and Thiel held on to win its conference opener.
 
Jess Vormelker (Orwell, Ohio/Grand Valley) led the Tomcats. She recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Taylor Duchon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Brijae Journee (Cleveland, Ohio/Villa-Angela St. Joseph), Danyelle Lucido (Grove City, Pa./Grove City) and Laken Shields (Franklin, Pa./Franklin) each scored seven points.
 
Mathews led the Titans with 15 points while Emily Fromknecht scored 14 points. Kristine Fromknecht scored 12 points while Rachel Durbin contributed 10 points.
 
The Tomcats edged the Titans in rebounds (44-35), points in the paint (18-16) and bench points (21-18).
 
Thiel (3-3, 1-0 PAC) will host the Thomas More Saints Saturday at Beeghly Gymnasium. The PAC contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.