Defense was the key as the Chestnut Hill College Women's Basketball team won their eighth straight game, rallying from a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Post University 55-50 Saturday afternoon at Sorgenti Arena and remain undefeated in conference play.

The Griffins improve to 14-3 and a perfect 8-0 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games.  The Eagles, ranked #10 in this week's D2SIDA East Region poll, fall to 10-4 overall and 4-2 in league play.  The win was also the Griffins third straight against a region-ranked opponent (then #6 Jefferson last Thursday, #2 USciences on Tuesday and #10 Post this afternoon).

Emily Chmiel recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds, both game highs.  The freshman forward also had three blocks on the afternoon.  Bri Hewlett added 11 points and four rebounds while Lauren Crim chipped in nine points and six rebounds.  Cassie Sebold led all players with four assists.

The first half belonged to the Eagles as they shot 58.3% from the field in the first two quarters and jumped out to a nine-point lead 34-25.  Chestnut Hill shot just 33.3% from the field in the first half.
In the second half, the Griffins held the Eagles to just one field goal in the third quarter (1-12) and two in the fourth (2-14) for a combined total of 3-for-26 (11.5%).  The Griffins also out rebounded the Eagles 29-12 in the second half.

Trailing by nine at the half, Chestnut Hill started chipping away at the lead right from their first possession of the third quarter as Hewlett scored the first of two consecutive baskets.  Chmiel added two free throws to complete a 6-0 run and cut the lead to 34-31 with 6:26 left.    Chmiel's layup and one with 1:47 left in the third quarter tied the game at 38-38.    Post added three free throws in the final 75 seconds to lead 41-38 heading into the final quarter.

Crim tied the game with a three-point bucket just 40 seconds into the quarter and following an offensive foul by the Eagle Chmiel hit a short jumper to give the Griffins their first lead since midway through the first quarter, 43-41.   Another Crim basket pushed the lead to four 45-41 before the eagles scored four straight to tie the game again at 45-45 midway through the quarter.  Three CHC free throws pushed the lead to 48-45.  After an Eagles basket Hewlett hit a big three-point bucket with 1:58 left to again give the Griffins a four-point cushion 51-47.  Chmiel added a layup with 29 seconds left to make the score 53-47 and after three free throws by the Eagles, Chmiel scored her final points of the afternoon with just two ticks on the clock to seal the win.

For the game the Griffins shot 36.4% (20-55) from the field and held the Eagles to a 34% effort (17-50), mostly due to their second half defense.  Chestnut Hill outrebounded the eagles 45-29 for the game including a 17-8 advantage on the offensive glass.  Both teams made just four three-point baskets and the Griffins shot slightly better at the free throw line, 11-15, 73.3% to 12-18, 66.7% for Post.

The Griffins take a break from Conference action as they host College of Staten Island for a regional non-conference game on Monday January 24, 2022.  Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at Sorgenti Arena.