GREENVILLE, Pa. -- The Thiel College Women's Basketball team dropped their home opening Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) contest to Hiram College 69-67 in overtime Wednesday evening in Beeghly Gymnasium.
Tonight's contest was the first time Thiel has gone into overtime since November of 2021, where they fell to none other than the Hiram Terriers.
The Tomcats begin conference play at 0-1 (3-4 overall) as the Terriers advance into the PAC 1-0.
In OT, Hiram outscored Thiel 12–10 as they shot .500 from the field and hit key free throws, giving Thiel no time to take the victory.
A hard battling fourth quarter was kick started by sophomore Issy Green (Slippery Rock, Pa./Portersville Christian) as she scored seven straight points to give the Tomcats a fighting chance.
Two good free throws by Kayley Risser (Reynoldsville, Pa./Dubois Central Catholic) and a layup from Kelsey Seddon (Cochranton, Pa./Lakeview) put Thiel up and the opportunity to play in extra minutes.
After being down 15 in the third, Thiel began chipping away with hustle on rebounds that gave them second-chance opportunities. Risser led Thiel's comeback at the 5:36 mark to cut Hiram's lead to six entering the fourth.
Momentum shifted for Hiram as their energy and execution in the paint helped them take control of the game, outscoring Thiel 22-8 in the second quarter.
Risser collected her second double-double of the season by putting up 10 points and collecting a career best 19 boards. She dished out a game high of five assists, grabbed two steals and two blocks.
Green led Thiel on the offensive end, scoring 19 points, grabbing four steals and giving out three assists.
Emily Betsinger (Indiana, Pa./Indiana), Caitlin Stephens (West Middlesex, Pa./West Middlesex) and Lyndzee Amory (Edinboro, Pa./Saegertown) were strong in the defensive paint, collecting a combined 27 rebounds. Stephens had a career-high of 11 and put up eight points as Amory and Betsinger each grabbed eight boards.
Thiel returns to action on Saturday, December 6 as they travel down to New Wilmington, Pa. To take on the Westminster Titans at 1 p.m.
