Playing in their first ever Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship game, the Chestnut Hill College Women's Basketball team looked to make even more history as they took on top seed Jefferson University Sunday afternoon at the Newman Center at Caldwell University.
History, however, would have to wait at Jefferson took control of the game in the second half and defeated the Griffins 61-39 to capture the 2024 CACC Championship.
The Griffins finish their season at 20-9. Jefferson, ranked #3 or #4 in the nation depending upon what poll you were looking at, improved to 30-1.
Caraline Herb led the Griffins with ten points. (4-5 FG, 2-3 3FG).
Bridie McCann added nine points and a team high seven rebounds while
Caleigh Edwards chipped in eight points.
Avery White had six points and added two assists.
Kaitlyn Carter grabbed six rebounds and had a game high four steals.
Following the game, Carter and White were named to the CACC All-Tournament Team.
The Griffins had a lead early in the game but found themselves trailing by four at the end of one quarter and by 11 midway through the second quarter. Trailing 27-16, the Griffins went on a 7-0 run with baskets from Edwards, McCann and Herb and a free throw from Carter to pull within four 27-23 with 1:16 left in the half. The Rams added two baskets to lead 31-23 at halftime.
Herb opened the third quarter scoring with a three-point basket to cut the Ram lead to 31-26 at the 8:51 mark. The Rams then exploded with a 16-2 run over the next eight minutes to lead 47-28 with 46 seconds left in the quarter before White nailed a jumper to cut the margin to 17 heading into the final quarter.
McCann's three point basket with 3:58 left in the fourth quarter would bring the Griffins within 16, their closest margin of the period. For McCann, her three-point goal marked the 13
th straight game and 28
th of 29 played this season in which she has made at least one three point basket.
Jefferson finished the game on an 8-2 run making the final score 61-39.
