Box Score Philadelphia, PA – (12/19/2011) – Efficient transition play allowed Bloomsburg University to attack the basket for an 80-64 win over Chestnut Hill College this afternoon. The Huskies forced the Griffins into early turnovers and used a 21-10 rebounding edge and a 56.7% (17-of-30) first-half shooting performance to ride a 41-21 halftime lead to a 16-point victory. Junior guard Marqesah Spicer (Philadelphia, PA) was the Griffins top performer with a career-high, 18 points and four steals.

Crashing the boards allowed Bloomsburg University (9-2) to quickly separate after the opening tip. When combined with their fast-paced transition game, the Huskies frustrated Chestnut Hill College (1-9) and opened a double-digit advantage, 21-10, in the first ten minutes of play (10:44). The combination of senior guard Kesley Gallagher (East Stroudsburg, PA) and junior forward Kayla Oxenrider (Ashland, PA) fueled the Huskies for the remainder of the half; helping extend the deficit to 20, 41-21, they both totaled nine points by intermission. After the break, the Husky lead ballooned to as many as 30, 72-42, with freshman guard Marla Simmons (Lebanon, PA) ending a 13-2 run with a three-point basket at the nine-minute mark (9:02). Freshman guard Lila Jones (Lansdale, PA) and junior forward Lindsay Alexander (Huntingdon Valley, PA) looked to help Spicer bring the home team back within contention, but as the game clock wore on the Huskies made it clear that the Griffin were going to have to earn every point at the free throw line. The Griffins hit 17-of-22 (77.3%) second-half free throws, but it would not be enough to catch the Huskies, who left Sorgenti Arena with their fourth straight win.

Gallagher led all scorers with 20 points; she also led the Huskies defensive effort with five steals. Oxenrider offered 16 points and helped direct the Husky offense with four assists. Additional scoring came early from junior guard Dana Wieller (Bethlehem, PA) who recorded seven first-half points, she finished with 12 points, and Simmons who totaled nine points and five rebounds off the bench.
Spicer finished 5-of-9 (55.6%) from the field, including a 4-of-6 (66.7%) clip from beyond the arch. She also hit all four of her free throws (4-of-4, 100.0%). Alexander totaled 13 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Jones earned her nine points with late aggressive play and a 7-of-8 (87.5%) performance from the free throw line.

The women's basketball team continues their break from Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play with another home contest; a 4:00 p.m. contest against Mercy College on Friday, December 30.