SHARON, Pa. -- Thiel College Women's Basketball Alum Jessica Vormelker '19 secures her first win as head coach of the Tomcats in a thrilling 82-67 victory over Penn State Shenango Wednesday evening.  

The Tomcats advanced to 1-1 on the year as the Lions dropped to 1-2 overall.  

Thiel went on back-to-back 9-0 and 8-0 runs after the first two minutes of the contest to give them a leg up in the first quarter.  

Freshman Kelsey Wagner (Sherman, N.Y./Sherman) led the offense with eight points in the first quarter, as Kayley Risser (Reynoldsville, Pa./Dubois Central Catholic) (8) and Kelsey Seddon (Cochranton, Pa./Lakeview) (7) led the second quarter to end the half 42-28. 

Despite Thiel and Shenango going back and forth in the second half, Risser popped out with 14 points in the fourth quarter to secure the Tomcat win. 

Risser dominated both ends of the court for a career night, scoring 24 points and grabbing 18 rebounds to secure her first double-double of her career.  She also had a game high of eight assists. 

Freshman Emily Betsinger (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) also had a double-double with a career high of 15 points and 11 rebounds, eight of those points coming in the second half. Betsinger also grabbed two blocks and a team high three boards on the night. 

Sophomore guard Issy Green (Slippery Rock, Pa./Portersville Christian) dished out seven assists, while grabbing four rebounds and two steals.  

At the end of the night, Seddon had 21 points, seven rebounds and one assist, as Wagner had a career best of 10 points and two assists. 

The Tomcats outshot the Lions by going 41.3% from the field and 36.8% from the 3-point line.  

Thiel returns to action on Friday, November 14, when they travel to Alfred N.Y. to compete at the Alfred State Tournament. The Tomcats will kickoff at 7 p.m. against Alfred State.