The Chestnut Hill College Women's Basketball team held off a late surge from host Caldwell university as they won their eighth straight contest, 64-60 Saturday afternoon at the Newman Center in Caldwell, New Jersey.

The Griffins improve to 12-5 overall and 6-1 in Central Atlantic collegiate Conference games.  The Cougars fall to 3-11 overall and 1-5 in league play.

Emily Sekerak led all players with 21 points (9-17 FG) and a career-high 18 rebounds.  Her 18 boards equals the school's Division II era record last set back in 2016 by Lauren Milligan.  Bridie McCann added 12 points.  Sara Tamoun and Caleigh Edwards had seven points apiece.  Edwards, McCann and Caraline Herb led the team with three assists apiece.

Leading by nine, heading into the fourth quarter, the Griffins increased their lead to 13, 52-39 following a Kaitlyn Carter layup and still held a ten-point lead 58-48 with 3:26 left.  Caldwell scored nine straight points on three three-point baskets to pull within one 58-57 with 1:16 left.  Avery White's driving layup with 47 seconds left put the Griffins back up by three.  Following a defensive stop, McCann added two free throws to push the lead to five 62-57 with 24 seconds remaining.  Another three-ball from the Cougars made it a one-possession game 62-60 with 11 seconds left. 
Tamoun sank two free throws with seven seconds left to seal the win.

Chestnut Hill had also led by double figures at halftime, 31-19 when Caldwell battled back within six, 36-30 with 5:35 left.  The CHC defense again went to work, holding the Cougars to just one field goal over the final five minutes while building their lead back up to nine, 46-37.

Defense was also the key in the second quarter as they team held the Cougars to just two field goals while chipping away a 15-9 deficit.  Chestnut Hill used a 9-2 run to take an 18-17 lead.  The Griffins' offense closed out the half with a 13-2 uprising over the final 3:16. Sekerak had two putbacks while the Griffins made three three-point baskets, two from Edwards and the third from Herb as the clock was running out, giving CHC a 31-19 lead at halftime.

The Cougars jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the first quarter before the Griffins clawed their way back with five straight points to pull within two at 11-9.  Caldwell scored the final four points of the quarter to lead 15-9 after one period of play.

For the game, the Griffins shot 33.8% (23-68) from the field while the Cougars shot 34.4% (22-64).  Both teams made seven three-point field goals and the Griffins made two more free throws than the Cougars (11-9).  Chestnut Hill had a decisive rebound advantage, outrebounding Caldwell 58-33 which included a 29-15 advantage on the offensive glass. CHC outscored the Cougars 24-14 in the second chance points category as a result.

The women's basketball team returns to action on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 when they host Georgian Court University in a CACC South division contest.