GREENVILLE, Pa. -- The Thiel College Women's Basketball team took the 72-55 victory over Penn State Beaver in a mid season non-conference clash Monday afternoon in Beeghly Gymnasium.

The Tomcats advance to 4-5 overall (0-2), to deliver the Lions only their second loss of the season. 

Thiel struck early and set the tone in the first quarter, building a 26-13 lead behind sharp shooting and going 11-for-21 from the field. 

By halftime, Thiel had built a solid cushion leading the Lions 39-23, limiting Penn St.-Beaver to 22.2% shooting (4-of-19) in the second quarter. 

Emily Betsinger (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) led the way offensively with a career best 24 point outburst on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting night and adding nine rebounds, showing hustle on both ends. The two-time conference newcomer of the week went 2-2 from the free throw line and played 27 minutes. 

Defensively, Thiel limited Penn St.–Beaver to 35.5% shooting overall, forcing them into turnovers and poor shooting from deep (0-for-9).

Issy Green (Slippery Rock, Pa./Portersville Christian) was a force on both ends of the court, chipping in 13 points, dishing out six assists and recording six steals. Green went 3-for-5 from behind the 3-point line and 4-for-9 from the field. 

The Lions improved their shooting to 46.7% in the second half, but was not enough to come back at the Tomcats. 

Kayley Risser (Reynoldsville, Pa./Dubois Central Catholic) contributed solid minutes, tallying nine points, 10 rebounds and five assists bolstering the Tomcats' presence inside and around the glass. Caitlin Stephens (West Middlesex, Pa./West Middlesex) also grabbed 10 boards and shot 4-for-4 from the line to help the Tomcat offense. 

Jensen Stehlik (Sagamore Hills, Ohio/Nordonia) and Kelsey Seddon (Cochranton, Pa./Lakeview) were key contributors to Thiel's success, Stehlik with six points and Seddon with five. Stehlik went 2-for-6 from deep and grabbed five boards, as Seddon pulled down three. 

Thiel returns to action next Tuesday on Dec. 16 as they travel to Pittsburgh, Pa. to take on the Carlow Celtics at 7 p.m.

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