PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (11/9/19) – Chestnut Hill College lost its season-opening matchup against Molloy College, 55-45. The Griffins were behind by as many as 15 in the fourth quarter, but rallied to get within a possession in the final two minutes of the game before the Lions iced their win out from the foul line.

The Griffins (0-1) were sharp in the first half, limiting the Lions to 19 points in the first 20 minutes of play. Seven different Chestnut Hill College players registered points in that opening slate, keeping Molloy College within a point heading into the break. The Lions (1-0) broke the game wide open in the third quarter, with junior guard Gabriella Aspuru (Farmingville, N.Y.) reaching 14 points in the game and adding second chance opportunities with her three offensive boards. Molloy College led 37-24 at the end of the third quarter and were up by 15 with 8:43 left in the contest.

Chestnut Hill College started a run thanks to three-pointers drained by freshman forward Lindsey Lane (Havertown, Pa.) and sophomore guard Lauren Crim (Warrington, Pa.). Sophomore forward Leah Miller (Punxsutawney, Pa.) scored seven points during the Griffins' 19-7 run that brought the team within three points. However, the Lions held their nerve, knocking down seven of 10 free throws down the stretch to hold on for a 55-45 win.

Aspuru (17 points), graduate guard Robyn Francis (Rosedale, N.Y.) (12 points), and junior guard Giolibeth Perez (Camuy, Puerto Rico) (11 points) were the three scorers in double figures for Molloy College. Aspuru also led the Lions with eight rebounds and four assists, while Francis tallied a team-high four steals.

The Griffins made their way back into the game thanks to Miller's double-double (17 points and 10 rebounds). Junior guard Cassie Sebold (Willow Grove, Pa.) notched a team-high eight assists and accounted for two of the Griffins' five steals, while sophomore guard Abbey Spratt (Doylestown, Pa.) posted both of Chestnut Hill College's blocks.

The Griffins return to Sorgenti Arena at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 10 to take on Queens College.