LATROBE, Pa. – Feb. 10, 2021 – The Chatham women's basketball team dropped the opening game of the 2021 season at perennial PAC power Saint Vincent 72-62 on Wednesday night.
 
After surrendering the first five points of the game, Chatham stormed back thanks in part to a 10-2 run. However, the slim 10-8 lead in the first seven minutes of the game would be the only time the Cougars maintained the advantage over the Bearcats.
 
The second quarter saw Saint Vincent get hot from the floor, making 10-14 shots from the field (.714) and 3-4 from beyond the arc. In comparison, Chatham only shot 5-19 from the floor (.263) and made just one of nine three-point shots (.111). At half, Chatham faced a 38-23 deficit to the hosting Bearcats.
 
The second half of the game was controlled by Chatham, outscoring Saint Vincent 39-34 in the latter 20 minutes. However, the hot shooting by the Bearcats just prior to the halftime break was too much for the Cougars to overcome. In the third quarter, Chatham shot 41% from the field and in the fourth quarter the Cougars lassoed a trio of three-point baskets.
 
Chatham was outrebounded 46-33 despite having twice as many offensive boards as Saint Vincent (14-7). The Cougars were able to win the turnover battle 33-19 thanks in part to 17 steals. Six Cougars had more than one steal, led by junior Aliyah Labriola's four off the bench. She also swiped Chatham's only block of the night.
 
In terms of scoring, Chatham let the ball fly 75 times, including 20 attempts in the fourth quarter alone. From three-point land, the Cougars attempted 34 shots and connected on eight. Junior Kaitlyn Fertig recorded a game-high 21 points on 9-23 shooting and 3-11 from three, and she led Chatham with three assists. Senior Brittani Smith and graduate student Maddy Grennes scored in double figures with 16 and 10 respectively.
 
Chatham hits the road on Monday, February 15 when it travels to Bethany College for a 6 p.m. tip with the Bison.