Jefferson University used a solid second half as they pulled away from the Chestnut Hill College women's Basketball team to complete a season series sweep, defeating the Griffins 62-49 Saturday afternoon at Sorgenti Arena.
The Griffins fall to 14-12 overall and 10-4 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games. The Rams improve to 12-2 in league play and 18-6 overall. The Rams hold a two-game lead over the Griffins with two conference games left. Chestnut Hill sits in third place, cannot catch the Rams for second, and has secured the #3 seed as they hold a 3½ game lead over fourth place Georgian Court University- who has three conference games left.
Tiayo Adelekan led the Griffins, recording a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Avery White and Sara Tamoun had nine points apiece. White led the team with five assists while Adelekan and Bri Rider had two steals apiece.
Jefferson scored the first eight points of the game, but the Griffins battled back, holding the Rams without a field goal for the final 6:16 of the quarter and producing an 11-2 run to lead by one 11-01 heading into the second quarter.
White's three-point basket pushed the lead to four 14-10 to open the second quarter before the Rams responded with a 9-0 spurt to retake the lead 19-14 with 5:5 left. Chestnut Hill battled back and pulled withing one twice in the final two minutes, both times courtesy of baskets from Bridie McCann as the hosts trailed 23-22 at halftime.
The Griffins would not get any closer in the second half as the Rams outscored the team 21-14 in the third quarter and 18-13 in the fourth, opening up their biggest lead 57-41 with 3:30 left in the game. An 8-1 run capped by Tikyra Miller's two free throws dropped the lead to single digits, 58-49 with 1:18 left but the Rams scored the final four points to secure the double-digit win.
Cassie Murphy led four Rams in double figures with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Gabby Recinto added 12 points and 11 rebounds while Tori Nigro and Emma Kuczynski added 11 points apiece.
The Rams shot 37.5% from the field (24-64) while the Griffins connected on just 28.6% (18-63) of their shots. Jefferson also held a 46-39 rebound advantage and scored 24 points off 15 CHC turnovers. The Griffins scored just four points off 14 Jefferson miscues.
The women's basketball team returns to action on Saturday, February 22, 2025, when they travel to play Wilmington University  at the WU complex in Newark, Delaware. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
