Published: February 12, 2008 10:12 am         

Cats Repeat

Potomac State captures conference crown, 61-46

KEYSER, W.Va. - Potomac State College capped its second straight undefeated season in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference by relying on its defense to beat CCAC Allegheny 61-46 in the conference tournament championship game Monday in Keyser.

The Catamounts repeated as undefeated conference champions, finishing 12-0 in back-to-back seasons. They have won the conference title three of the last four years.

Three Potomac State players scored in double figures with Amanda McKim and Ashley Heavener getting 13 points. Heavener recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds, and McKim added five steals. Maddie Crosby had 12 points and nine rebounds, while Julieanne Buckley had eight points and rebounds. Cathy Clarke also had eight points.

Potomac State (17-7) built a 12-point halftime lead by holding Allegheny to just 14 points in the first half.

"We executed very poorly throughout the game,'' said PSC coach Jim Walton. "That led to 24 turnovers, so we had to count on our pressure defense to stop them."

Kristen Beatty scored a game-high 26 points for the Cougars.

Potomac State finishes regular-season play Wednesday at Allegany College in Cumberland, then will play Saturday, on the road, against the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference winner.