Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (12/7/2016) – Playing the second night of a back-to-back, the Chestnut Hill College women's basketball team placed four players in double figures, led by 18 points from senior guard Caity Kuhnen (Binghamton, N.Y.), but it wouldn't be enough, as the visiting Purple Knights from the University of Bridgeport outpaced the host Griffins, 101-75, in non-conference action on Military Appreciation Night at Sorgenti Arena on Wednesday night.

Chestnut Hill College (5-3) started the game on a blistering pace, opening the contest on an 11-4 run, keyed by a trio of Kuhnen three pointers. The University of Bridgeport (7-1) responded, with back-to-back-to-back threes by junior guard Aurelie Leblanc-Florent (Longueuil, Canada) putting the visitors up 13-11 with 5:28 remaining in the opening frame. The Purple Knights continued to surge, outscoring the Griffins 23-2 over the remainder of the period to stake themselves to a 36-13 lead heading into the second quarter.  
 
The Scarlet and Gold wouldn't back down, opening the second stanza on a mission. With the Purple Knights' lead at 14 (43-29), Kuhnen single-handedly slashed the deficit down to single digits (43-34) with a layup followed by an old-fashion three-point play with 2:49 remaining in the period. The Purple Knights would up their advantage to 10 (49-39), but a pair of made free throws by sophomore guard Mary Trossi (Somerset, N.J.) would send the game into the half with the Griffins trailing by just eight, 49-41.
 
The Scarlet and Gold would trade baskets in the opening moments of the third quarter, but stifling defense and fast-break offense proved to be their downfall, with the University of Bridgeport upping their lead to 16 (73-57) following four made free throws from senior guard Aaliyah Mercer (Bronx, N.Y.), and an and-one would send the visitors into the final frame with a comfortable 76-57 lead.
 
The fourth quarter saw the up-tempo style of the Purple Knights balloon their lead, extending the advantage to 30 points (97-67) following a layup by senior guard Camera Miley (Brooklyn, N.Y.) with 2:46 left in the contest. The Scarlet and Gold continued to battle, however, with a late layup by freshman guard Cailey Gibson (Marlton, N.J.) giving the game its 103-75 final
 
The Griffins were led by Kuhnen's 18 points and four rebounds, with sophomore forward Jaeda Wildgoose (Somerset, N.J.) (17 points, six rebounds), junior guard Vicky Tumasz (North Wales, Pa.) (15 points) and senior guard Brittany McDonough (Brooklyn, N.Y.) (13 points, six rebounds, five assists) also putting up strong performances. The Griffins shot 32.1 percent (26-of-81) from the field, 31.3 percent (10-of-32) from deep and 61.9 percent (13-of-21) from the free throw line.
 
The Purple Knights were led by a 28-point effort from Leblanc-Florent, who shot 8-of-11 from downtown. Sophomore center Samnell Vonleh (Swampscott, Mass.) narrowly missed a triple-double with 14 rebounds, nine points and seven blocks. Miley notched 19 points, with Mercer tossing in 12 in the victory. The University of Bridgeport shot 47.4 percent (36-of-76) from the field, 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from deep and 76.0 percent (19-of-25) from the charity stripe.
 
The Griffins will resume Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play when they host Philadelphia University on Saturday, December 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.