WILMINGTON, Del. - The Thomas Jefferson University women's basketball team (7-2, 2-0 CACC) took the lead with 6:07 left in the first quarter and never trailed the rest of the way in an 86-71 win at Goldey-Beacom on Tuesday.
 
GAMEPLAY
The teams were even at six early in the opening period. Cassie Murphy put the Rams ahead with a layup but the Lightning answered with a three to go up by one (9-8). Jefferson then went on an 11-0 run to take control. Sam Yencha led the way with five points. GBC made it a seven-point game (19-12) before Jefferson closed the frame with seven of the last nine to lead by 12 (26-14).
 
The Rams scored seven of the first nine of the second to up the margin to 17 (33-16). Sabria Lytes netted four and Emily Keehfuss hit a three. The Lightning struck back with a 13-2 surge to cut the deficit to six (35-29) with 2:16 to go before halftime. Jefferson poured in the last seven points of the quarter and led 44-31 at the break.
 
The Rams pulled away to start the third, going on a 13-6 run to make it a 20-point cushion (57-37). Four different players scored during the stretch. Goldey-Beacom only came within 13 for the rest of the game and Jefferson led by as many as 23 on the way to the win.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Haley Meinel: 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting, 7 steals, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
- Cassie Murphy: 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
- Sam Yencha: 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
- Emily Keehfuss: 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
 
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 37-of-67 (55.2%)
3PT: 6-of-12 (50.0%)
FT: 6-of-12 (50.0%)
 
NOTES
- It was the most points by the Rams since they scored 91 versus Felician on January 4, 2020.
- Jefferson's .552 field goal percentage was its best since February 13, 2019 against the Lightning.
 
UP NEXT
The Rams host Bloomsburg for a non-conference game on Saturday, December 11 at 2 p.m.