Box Score Kutztown, Pa. - (11/15/2017) – Chestnut Hill College faced off against Kutztown University (KU) tonight in a non-conference affair that ended in the Griffins first loss of their season, 88-79. The Scarlet and Gold's used their fast-pace transition strategy to square up with their opponents but it was not enough to counter the Golden Bear's 11 three pointers. Senior guard Vicky Tumasz (North Wales, Pa.) posted a double-double in the Griffin's efforts.
 
The first quarter opened up with both teams trying to get in their rhythm, finding themselves at a 6-6 tie with 3:01 left on the clock. Chestnut Hill College (2-1) took advantage and a made free throw by junior guard Mary Trossi (Somerset, N.J.) and a following successful layup from junior forward Jaeda Wildgoose (Somerset, N.J) pushed the Griffins to a 6-9 (2:12) edge. The two teams battled it out for a minute and a half scoreless until Tumasz stole the ball with 55-seconds left and was fouled, resulting in two made free throws, 6-11. Kutztown University (2-1) was able to get off a shot with three-seconds left on clock ending the quarter 8-11.
 
Despite the three point lead, the Griffins lost their grip allowing the Golden Bears to score seven straight points within the first two and a half minutes of the second quarter, 15-11. Chestnut Hill College fought to be back on top closing the margin to one point at 3:50 off of a successful senior guard Caroline Gehring (Suffolk, N.Y.) free throw, 22-21. Unfortunately, the Golden Bears were able to capitalize and extended their lead 26-35 by the end of the half.
 
Just ten (9:50) seconds into the second half, Wildgoose set the Griffins off to a head start by taking advantage of her superior post skills scoring the first basket of the second half, 35-28. With two minutes remaining the Golden Bears had a 12 point lead, 60-48, causing Chestnut Hill College to rely on the outside shot to close the gap. A Tumasz three pointer at 1:20 broke through the ten point threshold that started the Griffins 6 point run, closing the margin to seven points, 62-55 (:10). Trossi added a successful free throw with two seconds left, ending the quarter 62-56.
 
Down by six points (78-72) with 3:10 left, the Griffins gave a final push to top KU but their efforts fell short. The Golden Bears were able to keep the game out of just enough reach for the last two minutes, sending the Griffins home with an 88-79 loss.
 
Freshman guard Alexis Smith (Dauphin, Pa.) led the Golden Bears' attack, scoring 22 points while adding 8 rebounds and four steals. Freshman guard Rylee Derr (Lititz, Pa.) recorded 17 points and went 5-of-9 (.555) from three point range. Sophomore forward Gabbi Wright (Elkins Park, Pa.)  chipped in 10 points.
 
Tumasz headlined for the Griffins recording a double-double including 24 points on a .533 shooting percentage and 11 rebounds. She also went 5-of-9 (.555) from three point range and added four steals. Efforts from Trossi included 15 points, six assists, seven rebounds, and one steal.  Wildgoose captained the frontcourt adding 19 points and eight rebounds in the 79-88 loss.
 
Chestnut Hill College will continue you their non-conference schedule Wednesday, November 22, against East Stroudsburg University for a 4:00 p.m. tip-off.