NEW HAVEN, Conn. (12/14/2019) – Despite winning the battle in a number of shooting categories, including a 43.5 to 36.7 percent advantage in field goal percentage, Chestnut Hill College dropped a tight decision on the road against Southern Connecticut State University, 68-59.

Junior guard Cassie Sebold (Willow Grove, Pa.) produced a career-high 27 points for the Griffins (3-7, 2-0), but the Owls (6-4) pulled away thanks to consistent scoring down the stretch to secure the non-conference win.

The Scarlet and Gold jumped out to an early lead thanks to success from beyond the arc, knocking down its first trio of three-point attempts in the opening period and continuing the offensive pressure into the second quarter to hold a 21-14 advantage minutes before halftime. Southern Connecticut State found its own success from three-point territory, hitting two from range at the end of the half to claw back into the lead, 26-25, at the break.

The back-and-forth tussle continued into the second half, as the Owls would lead by as many as 10, but the Griffins would find their way back thanks to a 10-0 run at the end of the third quarter. With 7:54 remaining, Chestnut Hill College took the lead for the first time since the opening half thanks to a three-pointer from sophomore forward Bri Hewlett (North Wales, Pa.), securing her fourth consecutive double-figure scoring effort. A 13-2 Owls run thwarted the Griffins chances, as Southern Connecticut State was able to emerge into a comfortable lead and ice the game out from the foul line.

Hewlett and sophomore guard Rachael Millan (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) made their first starts of the season, with Hewlett producing team second-bests with 14 points and five rebounds. Sophomore forward Leah Miller (Punxsutawney, Pa.) came off the bench to tally six points and a team-high six rebounds, including two offensive boards. Sophomore guard Lauren Crim (Warrington, Pa.) recorded a team-high three steals and tied Sebold for the team-high in assists with three.

Three Owls finished in double figures, with junior forward Jessica Fressle (Levittown, N.Y.) scoring a team-high 21 points. Junior guard Ednaija Lassiter (Boston, Mass.) recorded a double-double with 16 points and a team-high 14 rebounds.

Chestnut Hill College returns home for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) showdown with Holy Family at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18.