The Chestnut Hill College women's basketball team nearly came back from a double digit deficit against nationally ranked Jefferson University Saturday afternoon at Sorgenti Arena, but the Rams held on for a 57-51 win, handing the Griffins their first conference loss of the season.

The Griffins fall to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in central Atlantic collegiate conference games.  The Rams, ranked #8 in the WBCA coaches' poll and #7 in the D2CSC media poll, remain unbeaten with an 8-0 record and improve to 1-0 in league play.

The 57 points scored by the Rams are their lowest total of the season, 18 points below their league-best average of 75.0 points per game entering today's contest.

Emily Sekerak led the Griffins with 13 points and a game high eight rebounds.  Avery White had 11 points and a team-high six assists while Bridie McCann chipped in eight points.  Kaitlyn Carter and Bri Rider had five rebounds apiece.  Caleigh Edwards added three assists and two steals.

Trailing 44-29 heading into the fourth quarter. White and Sekerak went to work, with White scoring eight points and Sekerak six in the first five minutes of the period as the Griffins went on a 16-4 tear to turn a double-digit deficit into a one possession game, 48-45.  CHC's defense meanwhile held the Rams to just one field goal (five attempts) and a pair of free throws over the five minute span.  Sekerak scored the first four points of the run before White followed with three straight baskets, including two three pointers.  Edwards and Sekerak completed the run with back-to-back layups.

Jefferson's lead was still three at 52-49 with three minutes remaining when the Griffins offense went cold.  The Rams got 1-2 efforts from the free throw line from Cassie Murphy, Emma Kuchinski and Sam Yencha along with a basket from Morgan Robinson in the final stretch.  McCann's layup as time was expiring was CHC's only points in the final three minutes as Chestnut Hill finished on the short end of the 57-51 score.

The Griffins trailed by just five points at the half after a solid first quarter and a decent second quarter, 28-23.  Lindsey Lane and Carter had four points apiece in the first quarter keeping the Griffins in striking range, trailing 18-14.  McCann and Caraline Herb both made three point baskets in the second quarter and Sekerak had a basket and a free throw as the Griffins stayed close, trailing by five at the break.

Chestnut Hill's offense struggled in the third quarter as the Rams outscored the Griffins 16-6 to take the double-digit lead into the final period.

Yencha led all players with 21 points while grabbing a team high six rebounds.  Robinson had nine assists.

For the game, the Rams made two more field goals overall (23-53,43.4%) to (21-52, 40.4%).  The Griffins did double up on their baskets beyond the arc, scoring six three point baskets to Jefferson's three.  Chestnut Hill also had a 35-28 rebounding advantage but also committed 16 turnovers, leading to 15 Ram points (CHC had just three points off 11 Jefferson miscues).

The women's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, when they host Shippensburg University.  Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.