MANCHESTER, N.H. – The fourth-seeded Thomas Jefferson University women's basketball team (24-8) put on a defensive show and defeated fifth-seeded Bentley, 50-47, in the NCAA East Region Quarterfinals on Friday night for the program's first tournament win since 1998.
 
The Rams advance to the region semifinals and will take on eighth-seeded Daemen, who took down the host and top seed Southern New Hampshire earlier on Friday. Jefferson battles the Wildcats on Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.
 
GAMEPLAY
It was a tight opening quarter with the margin never eclipsing four points. The Falcons held a 14-13 advantage with 1:49 on the clock when the Rams went on a 15-4 run that ended at 5:04 of the second period with Jefferson in front 28-18. Five different players contributed to the stretch. However, Bentley answered with an 11-2 surge to close the half and get within one (30-29) at the break.
 
The Falcons started the third quarter strong, posting 11 of the first 17 points to take a 40-36 advantage with 2:01 remaining. They went 4-for-8 with a trio of three-pointers during the run. The Rams answered with the last four points of the period to even the score at 40 heading to the fourth.
 
Jefferson made a pair of free throws to begin the final period and Bentley came back with a three-pointer. The Rams then shut the Falcons down, scoring the next six points while forcing Bentley to go 0-for-4 with five turnovers, as they built a 48-43 lead. The Falcons finally hit a jumper and a foul shot to get within two (48-46) with 46 seconds left.
 
Bentley stole the ball from the Rams then drew a foul with nine seconds to play. The Falcons made the first shot but missed the back end and Martha Apple got the rebound. Haley Meinel went to the stripe and sank both shots to put Jefferson ahead by three (50-47). Bentley had a final opportunity to tie but the Falcons' desperation three-pointer was off the mark.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Haley Meinel: 18 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
- Morgan Robinson: 10 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist, 1 block
- Emily Keehfuss: 9 points, 1 assist
- Martha Apple: 6 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal
 
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 18-of-51 (35.3%)
3PT: 3-of-10 (30.0%)
FT: 11-of-13 (84.6%)
 
NOTES
- Jefferson ended the Falcons' five-game win streak and held them to a season-low 47 points.
- The Rams performed when it mattered most, holding Bentley to just seven points on 2-of-12 shooting in the fourth quarter.
- Jefferson won the rebound battle, 38-32.
- The Rams' last NCAA Tournament victory was a 63-59 win over Stonehill on March 5, 1998. It is the third time they have advanced in the tournament (1986, 1998).
- With USciences also winning its quarterfinal matchup on Friday, it is the first time that two CACC schools have advanced in women's basketball.