PHILADELPHIA - The Thomas Jefferson University women's basketball team (19-6, 11-4 CACC) had its eight-game win streak ended with a 65-60 loss to first-place Chestnut Hill on Tuesday.
 
GAMEPLAY
The score was even at two when the Rams posted six straight points for an 8-2 advantage. With the score 10-4, the Griffins went on a 10-0 run to go ahead 14-10. Cassie Murphy made back-to-back layups for Jefferson to tie the score at 14 with 3:11 on the clock. It was 16-all when Chestnut Hill went on another run, this time a 9-0 surge to take a 25-16 lead. Murphy made a layup just before the buzzer to get the Rams within seven (25-18) entering the second.
 
Jefferson opened the second quarter with seven consecutive points to even the score at 25. The Griffins followed with five to regain the advantage. The teams traded baskets before the Rams had the final points of the half on a jumper by Martha Apple to trail by three (35-32) at the break.
 
Sam Yencha had the first points of the third for Jefferson on a pair of free throws to get her team within one (35-34). After CHC drilled a three, the Rams came back with five in a row to take a 39-38 lead. However, the Griffins answered with six straight for a five-point edge (44-39) at the 5:28 mark. Trailing by four (45-41), Jefferson had a 5-0 rally to take a slim 46-45 lead. Again, Chestnut Hill responded with six to go in front 51-46 and the Rams closed the gap to three (51-48) heading into the last period.
 
The Griffins began the fourth with seven of the first nine to increase the margin to eight (58-50). Jefferson was able to get within two (58-56) with 5:33 to play but both teams then struggled to score, going over three minutes without a bucket. Chestnut Hill broke the drought with a jumper at the 2:17 mark to make it 60-56. Yencha made a basket to make it a two-point deficit (62-60) with 35 seconds remaining. However, the Rams were unable to score again and the Griffins converted three shots at the line to clinch the victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Cassie Murphy: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
- Sam Yencha: 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 6 rebounds, 1 assist
- Morgan Robinson: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist
- Haley Meinel: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
 
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 22-of-66 (33.3%)
3PT: 3-of-13 (23.1%)
FT: 13-of-16 (81.3%)
 
NOTES
- It is the first time that the Rams have dropped back-to-back games against Chestnut Hill.
 
CACC PLAYOFF PICTURE
Jefferson has three games remaining in the regular season and currently sits in third place in the CACC South Division. The Rams can clinch a playoff spot with a Georgian Court loss versus Nyack on Thursday or a victory over the Lions on the road on Saturday. The top four teams in each division qualify for the CACC Tournament.
 
UP NEXT
The Rams look to avenge an earlier loss to Georgian Court when they visit the Lions on Saturday, February 19 at 3:30 p.m.