Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (12/12/2017) – Chestnut Hill College escaped a close one tonight against Mercy College as a dominate 16-point, 31-15, first quarter edge served as just enough leeway for the Griffins to claim an 81-76 victory over the Mavericks. Junior forward Jaeda Wildgoose (Somerset, N.J.) led the Scarlet and Gold effort in the opening frame with 11 points and finished the evening with a team-high, 17 points on 4-of-9 (.444) shooting and a perfect 9-of-9 (1.000) performance at the free throw line.
 


Chestnut Hill College (6-5) made their hay in the first quarter, stockpiling a 16-point, 31-15, lead on the strength of a 58.8% (10-of-17) shooting effort and a flawless 8-of-8 (1.000) free throw showing. The Griffins gradually pulled away from a 5-5 (8:24) tie to lead by as many as 13 points, 27-14 (1:33), late in the first quarter. Wildgoose was the engine for the Scarlet and Gold, making 3-of-6 (.500) from the floor and sinking all five (5-of-5, 1.000) of her free throw chances to power Chestnut Hill College to a commanding lead. Mercy College (3-7) gained some ground in the second quarter, reducing the halftime deficit to 11 points, 50-39, behind the bench play of sophomore forward Abigail Collier (Watertown, Conn.).
 
After a slow start to the third quarter, Chestnut Hill College reestablished their 16-point, 59-43, edge just before the four-minute mark (4:15). But that is when the Mavericks retaliated, trimming the Griffin lead to single digits, 59-51, in less than two minutes (2:24). Fortunately, the Scarlet and Gold stemmed the tide and carried a six-point, 66-60, advantage to the final frame. There, the Mavericks issued their final assault on the Griffin lead, reducing it to just two points, 66-64 (7:38), before freshman guard Cassie Sebold (Willow Grove, Pa.) inspired a game-saving run. Sebold made a layup (72-68, 3:37) and found senior guard Vicky Tumasz (North Wales, Pa.) (75-68, 3:07) and Wildgoose (77-68, 2:22) for back-to-back buckets in a 7-0 stretch that separated Chestnut Hill College by nine points, 77-68, for final two minutes (2:22) of play. In the end, that difference was enough to withstand the final Mercy College push in an 81-76 final.

Collier came off the Maverick bench for a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds. She was 7-of-14 (.500) from the floor, 4-of-7 (.571) from three point range, and 3-of-5 (.600) from the free throw line, while recording two blocks. Freshman forward Amber Brown (South Brunswick, N.J.) also recorded a double-double with three assists, two blocks, and two steals in excess of 19 points and 10 rebounds.
 
In addition to her 17-point performance, Wildgoose provided seven rebounds, two assist, and two steals. Three other Griffins finished in double figures, including Sebold who totaled a season-high, 15 points in her first collegiate start. Tumasz recorded 13 of Chestnut Hill College's 22 bench points, while providing three rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Sophomore forward Shannon Glenn (Philadelphia, Pa.) was the fourth Griffin in double digits, totaling 10 points in excess of nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
 
The Chestnut Hill College women's basketball team continues their non-conference stretch tomorrow, Wednesday, December 13, with a 5:30 p.m. contest at the University of New Haven.