A dominant second quarter put the Chestnut Hill College women's basketball team firmly in control of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest against Felician University Saturday afternoon as the Griffins cruised to a 65-50 win over the Golden Falcons.

The win, Chestnut Hill's third straight, upped their record to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in conference games.  The golden Falcons dropped to 3-1 in conference play and 3-10 overall.

Emily Sekerak recorded her first double-double of the season with 18 points (7-10 FG) and a game-high 11 rebounds.   Bridie McCann also had 18 points while Caraline Herb came off the bench to score nine points on three three-point baskets.

Bri Rider and Kaitlyn Carter grabbed seven and six rebounds respectively while Avery White and Carter led the team with seven and five assists.  Sara Tamoun led the team with two steals while Sekerak had two blocks.

Trailing by six in the early minutes of the second quarter, the Griffins offense came alive, scoring 20 straight points to retake the lead and expand it to double digits, 34-20.  Felician's Ane Valle (24 points) completed a traditional three point play with 16 seconds left to make the score 34-23 at halftime.  Valle's basket was only the second field for Felician the entire quarter. (2-14 from the field).  Sekerak scored ten of her 18 points in the quarter while Herb connected for her first two three point baskets as the Griffins shot 61.5% (8-13) from the field.

Caleigh Edwards opened the scoring in the third quarter, increasing CHC's lead to 13.  The lead remained in double digits until a free throw by Felician's Mar Vidal cut the margin to nine 41-32 with 3:06 left.  Herb's three-ball and two free throws from McCann put the Griffins back up by double digits before the Golden Falcons pulled within ten heading into the fourth quarter.

A Sekerak layup and a McCann three-ball gave the Griffins their largest lead of the game at 51-36 to open the scoring in the final period.  The lead remained in double digits the rest of the way as Felician would come no closer than ten points.  Chestnut Hill made seven pf eight free throws in the final two minutes to seal the win.

Neither team shot exceptionally well during the game with the Griffins turning in the better numbers at 37.9% (22-58) (Felician 19-66 (28.8%).  Chestnut Hill was near perfect from the free throw line, making 15 of 16 during the game (93.8%).  The Golden Falcons made just nine of 12 from the charity stripe (75%).  The Griffins also had a slight rebounding edge, 41-39 and took advantage of 22 Felician turnovers, scoring 31 points off their opponents' miscues. The golden Falcons scored 16 points off 23 CHC turnovers.

The women's basketball team returns to action on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, for a big CACC south division contest with Holy Family University.  Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.