Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (1/21/2020) – In their first meeting of the season, Chestnut Hill College got the best of Thomas Jefferson University, using a 25-13 third-quarter to distance themselves just enough to capture a 76-72 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) win over the Rams. Sophomore guards Lauren Crim (Warrington, Pa.) and Morgan Orloski (Bethlehem, Pa.) were the heroines of the affair; the former scored a Scarlet and Gold record eight three-point baskets (8-of-12, .667) in a career-best 26-point effort, while the latter scored six three-point baskets (6-of-8, .750) in an 18-point effort. The win was also the fourth straight for the Griffins and the first for Chestnut Hill College Head Coach Jim Connelly versus his former superior, Jefferson Head Coach Tom Shirley.
 
Jefferson (7-10, 4-5) paced Chestnut Hill College (7-11, 6-3) to a 41-34 halftime edge. The Rams gradually pulled away from the Griffins in the first quarter with their lead reaching double-digits, 20-9, with 2:48 remaining in the frame. The Scarlet and Gold was able to negate some of the distance with an 8-2 run to the quarter break; 22-17 (0:58). Chestnut Hill College's perimeter shooting kept the Griffins on the Rams heels throughout the second quarter and cut Jefferson's lead to three points, 31-28, with 5:48 remaining. Unfortunately, the Scarlet and Gold rally had to wait until the second half as the Rams recovered for a 41-34 (0:41) halftime lead.
 
A Sebold layup (41-36, 9:14) and a pair of three-point baskets from Crim offset Jefferson's early third-quarter play and brought Chestnut Hill College within a single point of the Rams, 43-42, with 7:51 remaining. But the Scarlet and Gold did not take the lead, 50-48, until Crim hit another three-point basket at 4:38. Sophomore guard Rachael Millan (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) got in on the act, hitting a three-point basket to give the Griffins a 55-52 (1:59) just after the two-minute mark. The frame ended with Chestnut Hill College up 59-54 and less than three minutes into the fourth quarter the Griffin advantage reached double-digits; 67-57 (7:04). A pair of clutch layups (3:43, 3:14) from sophomore forward Leah Miller (Punxsutawney, Pa.) allowed to hold off Jefferson's rallying efforts, which cut spread to one point, 71-70 (1:37), before junior guard Cassie Sebold (Willow Grove, Pa.) clinched the victory with a statement layup (73-70, 1:06) and three closing free throws (0:28, 0:09).
 
Senior guard Alynna Williams (Ambler, Pa.) led Jefferson with 21 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Junior forward Sabria Lytes (Philadelphia, Pa.), junior forward Allie Warren (East Brunswick, N.J.), and freshman forward Haley Meinel (Warrington, Pa.) joined her in double figures. They each scored 13 points; the first two also grabbed seven assists apiece.

All of Crim (8-of-13, .615) and Orloski's (6-of-10, .600) baskets came from beyond the arch; the former also made a pair of free throws (2-of-2, 1.000) and grabbed three rebounds, while the latter grabbed four rebounds and handed out a pair of assists. Sebold finished with 11 points, two rebounds, and a Scarlet and Gold single-game record 15 assists. Miller added 10 points and 10 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season.
 
Chestnut Hill College continues their CACC schedule on Saturday, January 25, when they visit Post University for a 1:00 p.m. contest.