The second-ranked and undefeated Thomas More College women’s basketball team defeated Chatham University 77-44 Wednesday, handing head coach Jeff Hans his 99th career win.
With the win, the Saints improve to 16-0 overall and 9-0 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Hans is 99-8 in his four years at the Crestview Hills school.
The Saints jumped out to an 18-4 lead when freshman forward Nikki Kiernan (Cold Springs, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) made a lay-up with 11:23 to play in the first half. Chatham answered with a 6-2 run capped by a Rachel McClain three-pointer to cut the lead to 20-10 with 10:07 to play in the opening half.
Thomas More responded with a 24-5 run to take its biggest lead of the half at 44-15 with 3:54 to play in the half when junior guard/forward Sydney Moss (St. Albans, W.Va./Boone County (Ky.)) converted an old fashion three-point play. The Cougars closed the half on a 9-4 run to cut the lead to 48-24 at halftime.
Thomas More out-scored Chatham 29-20 in the second half. As a team, Thomas More out-scored the Cougars 50-14 in the paint, 28-2 off turnovers and 31-12 in bench points.
Junior forward Alexa Santamaria (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) and Moss led the team in scoring as they each scored 18 points, while Kiernan just missed double-figures with a nine points. Kiernan led the team on the boards with eight rebounds, while Moss led the team in assists with five and junior guard Olivia Huber (Woodlawn, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) led the team in steals with four.
Hans will be looking for win No. 100 Saturday when Thomas More opens the second half of the PAC schedule at home against Waynesburg. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Connor Convocation Center.
From Thomas More Athletics