By Justin Zackal
The Saint Vincent women are vying for a second-straight league crown.
Defending champion and No. 1 seed Saint Vincent may be the favorite to win this week’s PAC Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, but the next two contenders are compelling stories for their unprecedented success and turnaround from the previous season.
“It’s been competitive this season; that’s what makes our conference fun,” said Rosanne Scott, head coach at Westminster. “I don’t expect anything different in the tournament.”
Eight teams have qualified for the tournament, four of which will play in the first round, 7 p.m. Monday hosted by the fifth and sixth seeds, and the winners will advance to play at the third and fourth seeds in Wednesday’s quarterfinals at 7 p.m. The semifinals and finals will be played at Saint Vincent Friday, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, at a time to be determined.
#1 SAINT VINCENT (19-6, 15-1 PAC)
By virtue of their double bye, the Bearcats are making their 10th straight semifinal appearance. Led by senior Madison Kollar (17.0 ppg) and junior Jenna Lafko (13.8), the Bearcats are the best shooting team in the league (44.4%). Despite not leading in any other major statistical category, Saint Vincent has the most cohesive unit in the league. “They just have so many weapons with their inside and outside game and taking the ball to the basket,” Scott said. “They play well together.”
#2 GROVE CITY (23-2, 14-2 PAC)
The Wolverines lead the PAC in scoring offense and defense, outscoring opponents by an average of 78.1-52.8.
“We are a fast-paced defensive team with a controlled offense,” said seventh-year Grove City head coach Chelle Fuss. “It’s what we’ve been working on and striving to become throughout the years and this is a year that everything’s been clicking.”
Clicking is an understatement, as the Wolverines set team records for wins in a season and their current 10-game win streak is the team’s longest since 1983. Led by junior guard Jess Bowen (16.0 ppg) and senior forward Kate Balcom (15.6 ppg), Grove City is seeking its first PAC title since 1987.
“They are focused on being present and loving and caring for each other,” Fuss added. “We call it love and joy and they are playing with that and it shows on the court.”
#3 WESTMINSTER (19-6, 12-4 PAC)
The Titans, the last team to beat Grove City, 53-49, back on Jan. 18, are having a breakout season after going 6-10 in the PAC last year. Scott doesn’t point to one specific reason for the turnaround, citing team play, senior leadership and their defense, which has limited opponents to an average of 54.0 points and league-low 30.4 shooting percentage.
“We’ve taken pride in our defense and that’s made a difference,” Scott said. “We don’t press but we take pride in our half-court defense. We want our defense to create our offense. (And once on offense) we like to work the ball and make extra passes to find not a good shot, but a great shot. We’ve gotten better throughout the year and we’ve stayed consistent.”
A more consistent game schedule is what Westminster got after losing to Grove City, 79-76, in overtime last Wednesday. The Titans were off Saturday.
“I like the consistency and keeping our routine the same,” said Scott, who last led the Titans to a PAC title in 2005. “Although we had the bye on Saturday, that would’ve meant we wouldn’t have played (for nine days). We’re excited to be where we are and have a home playoff game and to see what this team can do.”
#4 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON (16-9, 11-5 PAC)
W&J is typically among the top two or three teams in the PAC, having posted a 165-65 record (.717) in league games since its last title in 2006, but this year the Presidents are playing more of an underdog role, led by junior forward Alie Seto (15.8 ppg).
#5 CHATHAM (14-10, 7-9 PAC)
The Cougars regressed from last year’s 8-8 PAC record, but they somehow seem more dangerous with graduate transfer guard Emily Ondo (18.9 ppg) leading the PAC in scoring and sophomore guard Kaitlyn Fertig ranking third (17.5 ppg). Chatham is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, ranking 12th nationally (9.3 pg).
#6 WAYNESBURG (7-18, 6-10 PAC)
Sophomore center Brooke Fuller (16.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg) leads a Yellow Jacket team that hasn’t won a PAC title since 1995. Waynesburg has one of the top scoring offenses in the league (71.9 ppg) but have also struggled to stop opponents, allowing (78.4 ppg).
#7 BETHANY (6-19, 5-11 PAC)
The Bison’s six conference titles are the most by any current PAC team, but they haven’t won it all since 2004.
#8 GENEVA (3-20, 2-14 PAC)
The longshot Golden Tornadoes will need a big game from junior forward Lauren Tipton (18.0 ppg, 12.2 rpg), the PAC’s second leading scorer and top rebounder, to advance out of the first round vs. Chatham.
The Geneva-Chatham first round game will be streamed live on the PAC Sports Network, as well as one quarterfinal game, both semifinals and the final. For a broadcast schedule, visit: http://www.pacstream.net/broadcasts/.
