The Chestnut Hill College Women's Basketball team rallied from a six point deficit late in the fourth quarter only to have Goldey-Beacom College score on a layup with less than a second left to hand the Griffins a 55-53 loss Tuesday night at Sorgenti Arena.

The loss drops the Griffins record to 16-8 overall and 10-4 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games.  The Lightning improve to 6-20 overall and 5-9 in league play.

Bridie McCann led all scorers with 20 points (7-14 FG, 4-7 3FG). Emily Sekerak added ten.  Kaitlyn Carter led the Griffins with eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Avery White had four assists.

Chestnut Hill led by one at the half 22-21 despite their struggles on offense.  Those struggles continued in the third quarter as the Lightning took a seven point lead 36-29 into the final period.

Sekerak brought the Griffins back three layups as the Griffins tied the game at 39-39 before Goldey-Beacom's Julie McCarron and Karlee Lennon sank back-to-back three point baskets to give the Lightning a 45-39 lead.  Chestnut Hill still trailed by six midway through the quarter and by five with 3:36 when they began their comeback.  McCann sank a three-pointer and White added a free throw to cut the GBC lead to 51-50.  After two free throws by GBC's Janiya Stevens (18 points, 10 rebounds) put the Lightning up three, 53-50 McCann sank her fourth three-ball of the game with just 19 seconds left to tie the game at 53-53.     McCarron the was able to drive baseline and rolled a shot in with 0.9 seconds left to put the Lightning ahead.  Chestnut Hill's last effort fell short, and the Lightning hung on for the win.

For the game, the Griffins shot just 31.7% from the field (19-60).  The Lightning also made 19 field goals but took 12 fewer shots (19-48, 39.6%).  GBC made six three-point baskets while the Griffins made five.  Goldey-Beacom made all 11 of their free throws while the Griffins connected on just 10 of 16 shots (62.5%).  

The Griffins had a slight edge on the glass, outrebounding the Lightning 37-34 including a 13-5 advantage on the offensive glass.  In superlative categories the Griffins scored more second chance points, 11-0; and more points off turnovers, 19-9.

The women's basketball team will play their final home game of the 2023-24 season against holy Family University on Saturday, February 24, 2024.  The winner of the game will have the upper hand in securing a home playoff spot in the upcoming CACC Tournament.  Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.