Kutztown, PA – (11/30/2009) – Chestnut Hill College and Kutztown University were barely separated by more than a basket in the opening half, but the Bears' defense and bench effort eventually earned them a 10-point advantage early in the second half. Kutztown University escaped a late Griffin run and held that same 10-point edge at the final buzzer, 62-52. The Griffins challenged the Bears with a balanced attack, three players finished with eight points and seven scored at least five.

The Griffins and Bears battled within a basket of each other until Kutztown University (3-1) took a six-point, 23-18, lead with 6:14 remaining in the opening period. Freshman forward Lindsay Alexander (Huntingdon Valley, PA )and senior forward Davina Yacab (Patterson, NJ )scored on back-to-back possessions to end a Griffin run that brought the Bear lead to one, 27-26, with 1:15 left but junior guard Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, Pa.) made the final basket of the opening half to give Kutztown University (3-1) a narrow, three-point lead at halftime, 29-26.

Kutztown University extended their halftime lead to ten, 42-32, in the opening 6:16 of the second half. The Griffins cut it to two points, 42-40, by the ten minute mark (9:57) on two consecutive three-point baskets from sophomore forward Aiesha Smith (Philadelphia, PA )and a perfect trip at the line from senior forward Chanta'l Hardy (Philadelphia, PA )Unfortunately, the Bears claimed a 62-52 on a strong, second-half performance from their bench. Sophomore forward Brittany Greaves (Malvern, Pa.) scored 12 points and junior forward Kristen Murray (Harrisburg, Pa.) added 11 points in reserve roles. McQuade led the Bears with 16 points and nine rebounds while teaming with senior guard Rachel Wisemiller (Hazelton, Pa.) for six blocks and a steal on the defensive end.

Senior forward Jenna Beck (Philadelphia, PA )freshman guard Ericka Furrowh (New Castle, DE )and Smith each scored eight points to lead Chestnut Hill College (0-5). Beck also grabbed five rebounds and made two steals. Alexander led the Griffins on the glass with ten rebounds.

The women's basketball team heads to West Chester University this weekend for the Carol Eckman Memorial Tournament. The Griffins will play Millersville University at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4 in the opening game of the two-day event.

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY 62, CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE 52

CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE (0-5)
SMITH, Aiesha 3-12 0-0 8; FURROWH, Ericka 2-6 2-2 8; BECK, Jenna 3-8 2-3 8; YACAB, Davina 2-4 2-2 6; HARDY, Chanta'l 2-5 2-2 6; LAING, Latoya 1-3 2-2 5; PRUITI, Jessica 2-10 0-1 5; ALEXANDER, Lindsay 1-6 2-2 4; GLASS, Carley 1-5 0-0 2; STAYROOK, Ashlen 0-2 0-0 0; BOYER, Yelissa 0-5 0-0 0. Totals 17-66 12-14 52.

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY (3-1)
MCQUADE,Melissa 7-14 1-2 16; GREAVES,Brittany 3-4 6-6 12; MURRAY,Kristen 5-10 0-0 11; STARR,Meredith 3-10 1-3 7; SCHROEDER,Chauntelle 2-5 2-2 6; MELVIN,Vivian 2-6 1-1 5; WISEMILLER,Rachel 1-8 1-2 3; WOOD,Ashley 1-4 0-0 2; ZEWE,Steph 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-61 12-16 62.

Points by Half                          1          2          F
Chestnut Hill College           26        26        52
Kutztown University               29        33        62

3-point goals--Chestnut Hill College 6-20 (FURROWH, Ericka 2-3; SMITH, Aiesha 2-2; PRUITI, Jessica 1-6; LAING, Latoya 1-2; ALEXANDER, Lindsay 0-1; GLASS, Carley 0-3; BOYER, Yelissa 0-1; HARDY, Chanta'l 0-1; BECK, Jenna 0-1), Kutztown 2-11 (MCQUADE, Melissa 1-3; MURRAY, Kristen 1-2; STARR, Meredith 0-1; WISEMILLER, Rachel 0-4; WOOD, Ashley 0-1). Fouled out--Chestnut Hill College-None, Kutztown-None. Rebounds--Chestnut Hill College 48 (ALEXANDER, Lindsay 10), Kutztown 44 (MCQUADE, Melissa 9). Assists--Chestnut Hill College 7 (PRUITI, Jessica 2), Kutztown 16 (MELVIN, Vivian 5). Total fouls—Chestnut Hill College 16, Kutztown 17. Technical fouls--Chestnut Hill College-None, Kutztown-None. A-250