Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (12/19/2014) – A sensational first-half outburst from senior guard Olivia Gorczynski (Parlin, N.J.) and suffocating second-half defense propelled Chestnut Hill College to a 56-40 triumph over visiting Dowling College in a choppy non-conference contest. Gorczynski poured in 21 of her game-high 25 points in the first period and the Griffins held the Golden Lions to a mere two field goals and a paltry 6.3 percent (2-of-32) from the field after intermission.
 
Gorczynski got Chestnut Hill College (3-7) off to a fast start, scoring the team's first 11 points en route to an early 15-5 advantage (11:55). Dowling College (2-8), however, made a push and overtook the Griffins, 22-21, with 4:47 to play in the first half before the hosts went into the break with a 31-28 edge.
 
The Golden Lions assumed their last lead, 34-33, with 15:46 to play, and after that it was as if a lid was on the rim. The Griffins held Dowling College scoreless for the next eight-plus minutes of game time until four straight points brought the visitors to within 42-38 (7:15). The Golden Lions then went the next five minutes without a point, during which Chestnut Hill College opened up a 50-38 bulge on the strength of six consecutive points from senior guard Shayla Felder (Cheltenham, Pa.). Dowling College cut the lead to 10, 50-40, on a pair of free throws with 2:15 remaining, but the Griffins scored the final six points to land on a 56-40 decision.
 
Senior guard Nicole Caggiano (Holtsville, N.Y.) led the Golden Lions six-man rotation with 11 points, while fellow senior guard Kristen McMahon finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Junior forward Jessica Kalbfleisch grabbed a team-high 12 boards to go with eight points, and junior Krstina Surlan recorded seven points and 10 rebounds.
 
Gorczynski was 8-of-11 (72.7%) from the field in the first half, including a 5-of-7 (71.4%) effort from beyond the arc. She finished 9-of-17 (52.9%) from the floor and snared six rebounds. Felder and freshman forward Brianne Morgera (Newport, R.I.) offered eight points apiece, with Felder handing out four assists and Morgera getting eight rebounds and three rejections. Freshman forward Nicole Parriski (Burlington, N.J.) was a force on the interior, logging a career-best 13 rebounds and four blocks two days removed from a 10-point, 12-rebound, 6-block night in a loss to Goldey-Beacom College. Freshman guard Bianca Adams (Elkins Park, Pa.) ended up with seven points and a pair of assists for the Griffins.

Chestnut Hill College takes a 10-day hiatus before travelling to the University of Bridgeport for a 2:00 p.m. non-conference tip on Tuesday, December 30.