Kuhnen and Trossi Appear on CACC Women’s Basketball Weekly Report after Wins over Tigers and Shock
New Haven, Conn. - (12/5/2016) – Leading Chestnut Hill College to recent wins over Holy Family University, 80-67 on Wednesday, November 30, and Washington Adventist University, 69-54 on Saturday, December 3, senior guard Caity Kuhnen (Binghamton, N.Y.) and sophomore guard Mary Trossi (Somerset, N.J.) were included on the latest Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll. The appearance is the third in four weeks for Kuhnen, who is currently leading the Griffins with 16.8 points-per-game (PPG), 5.7 rebounds-per-game (RPG), nine assists, two blocks, and seven steals. It is the first such mention for Trossi this season. The Scarlet and Gold playmaker has offered a conference-best 7.2 assists-per-game (APG) while providing Chestnut Hill College with 10.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and four steals.
Despite suffering their first loss of the season, 82-71, to East Stroudsburg University on Monday night, Chestnut Hill College (5-1) received 23 points from Kuhnen and a double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds, from Trossi. The Griffins separated for a 9-7 advantage following a pair of Trossi free throws at 5:24 of the first quarter and maximized their early lead at five points, 14-9, with a Kuhnen jumper at 2:46. Unfortunately, East Stroudsburg University (5-0) responded late in the opening frame, mounting an 8-0 run over the next 46 seconds to hold a 17-14 advantage at the quarter break. The visitor’s momentum carried into the second quarter, where a 24-6 slide left the Warriors with a 38-23 lead midway (4:31) through the frame. Facing a 41-34 halftime deficit, Chestnut Hill College never regained favor in an 82-71 final.
Just two days later, Chestnut Hill College claimed victory, 80-67, over cross-city, and Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), rival Holy Family University for the first time in program history. A second-half clamp down suffocated the Tigers while four Griffins finished in double figures. Kuhnen led the Scarlet and Gold quartet with 16 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Trossi offered a versatile performance with eight points, six rebounds, eight assists, and a steal.
Holy Family University (1-6, 1-1) controlled a 43-35 halftime advantage thanks to a superior first-half shooting effort (45.9%-36.4%), but in the second half Chestnut Hill College frustrated the Tigers, limiting their hosts to a 9-of-30 (30.0%) shooting performance and 24 points in the final two frames of a 13-point Griffin victory. Fortunes reversed midway through the third quarter, when a series of Tiger missed shots allowed the Griffins to tie the contest at 46-46 before the five-minute mark (5:31). From there, home calamity ensued as the Griffins matched Tiger missed shots and turnovers with sharp perimeter play from Kuhnen and freshman guard Shannon Glenn (Philadelphia, Pa.). The result was a ten-point, 60-50 (1:27), separation that was trimmed to seven points, 62-55, by quarter's end. The Scarlet and Gold defense ensured the Holy Family University woes continued in the fourth quarter, where Chestnut Hill College expanded their lead to as many as 18 points, 80-62 (1:23), in the final minutes of play.
On Saturday, turnovers kept Chestnut Hill College in check during the first half of play at Washington Adventist University. But, the Griffins cleaned up in the second half and got 17 points from junior guard Vicky Tumasz (North Wales, Pa.) to rally for a 69-54 victory over the Lady Shock. Tumasz emerged as the prime benefactor of Trossi's point play, finding the open spots on the perimeter for five (5-of-7, .714) of the Griffins' eight (8-of-12, .667) second-half three-point baskets. She also totaled four rebounds and an assist en route to matching her season-high. Kuhnen finished with 13 points, four rebounds, an assist, and two steals, while Glenn served as the third Griffin in double figures with 12 points in excess of her six rebounds. Trossi offered eight points, six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.
Chestnut Hill College resumes their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) on Tuesday, December 6, when they visit Goldey-Beacom College for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.
