GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The Grove City College women's basketball team clinched a spot in the season-ending, six-team Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship Tournament by securing an 81-52 win Wednesday night over visiting Thiel in conference action at the Grove City College Arena. 

Senior guard Mara Polczynski (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) fired in 14 points to pace Grove City (13-9, 11-6) while fellow senior guard Haley Hertzler (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) added a season-high 10 points. 

Four Thiel three-pointers in the first minute helped the Tomcats jump out to a 12-4 lead. Thiel led 20-16 after one quarter but Grove City surged ahead with a 23-8 in the second quarter. 

Consecutive three-pointers from sophomore guard Alexa McDole (Evans City, Pa./Mars) gave Grove City a 24-20 lead. Senior forward Clara Hannon (Grove City, Pa./Grove City), junior center Meredith Sherrerd (New Braunfels, Texas/New Braunfels) and junior guard Reese Hasley (Cheswick, Pa./Deer Lakes) further fueled the run with layups. 

Junior center Emma Ulmer (Milton, Pa./Northumberland Christian) swished a jumper and Polczynski scored on a putback in the final minute of the half to give Grove City a 39-28 halftime lead.

Grove City pushed the lead to 48-30 three minutes into the third quarter as Hertzler scored on the fast break, Polczynski buried a pair of jumpers and senior guard Jaden Davinsizer (Harmony, Pa./Seneca Valley) hit a three-pointer. Senior center Emily Wentworth (Potsdam, N.Y./Canton) later closed the third quarter with an inside basket, giving the Wolverines a 64-41 lead after 30 minutes. 

Grove City finished the game 34 of 81 (42 percent) from the field. Thiel (0-23, 0-18) shot 20 of 60 (33 percent) from the floor. Grove City earned a 59-34 edge on the glass, led by nine rebounds each from Polczynski and Sherrerd. Hertzler collected seven rebounds. 

Polczynski finished with five steals while McDole recorded three steals. Grove City forced 27 Thiel turnovers. The Wolverines turned over the ball 17 times. Hasley assisted four field goals while Hannon and Polczynski each had three assists. 

Kayley Risser led Thiel with 14 points. 

Grove City closes its home schedule Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Wolverines host Bethany in conference action. It will be Senior Day in the Grove City College Arena.