#3/5 Women's Basketball Takes Victory over Bridgeport on Senior Day
PHILADELPHIA – After trailing 13-6 early in the first quarter, the #3/5 ranked Thomas Jefferson University women's basketball team (23-1, 13-0) turned it around and rolled into a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) victory over the University of Bridgeport (8-16, 7-6) in Saturday afternoon action on Senior Day.
WHAT HAPPENED
The Rams would be out in front 6-4 following scores by Haley Meinel, Cassie Murphy, and Emily Keehfuss. The Purple Knights would go on a 9-0 and be ahead of the nationally ranked Rams 13-6. Jefferson would respond, going on a 13-2 run to retake the lead. Sam Yencha would score seven points on that run, getting the Rams up 19-15 heading into the break.
Bridgeport would respond in the beginning of the second as they would go up 23-21 following back-to-back three pointers from Tariah Bryant. The Rams would get on their scoring spree while locking up their defense against the Purple Knights as Jefferson would score the next 19 points without giving Bridgeport one basket throughout the rest of the second half. Emma Kuczynski hit a three to start the run, having seven points in the quarter. Murphy and Yencha also joined the scoring attack, with Murphy recording three of her 12 rebounds in the second quarter. Emily Spratt hit a pair of free throws and Keehfuss knocked a three pointer down at the buzzer as the Rams went into the break up 40-23.
The Rams would continue their scoring offense in the third quarter, having 23 points over the Purple Knights 11. Morgan Robinson had five points in the third. Keehfuss hit two three pointers while Murphy had eight of her 20 points in the quarter, setting her up for a double double on the day. Meinel anchored the defense with three of her season high nine steals in the third quarter as Jefferson went into the fourth up 63-34.
Bridgeport would get 21 points in the fourth to the Rams 14. Meinel would have the first bucket in the quarter and Murphy scored a basket and two free throws to add to the Rams lead. Eventually, the Purple Knights would outscore the Rams 18-10 through the rest of the game, with Janice Ashong, Yencha, Meinel, and Keehfuss all adding a score as Jefferson walked out of the Gallagher Center victorious 77-55.
Before the game, Jefferson recognized Keehfuss, Meinel, and Robinson as they honored their seniors on Senior Day.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Cassie Murphy: 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting, 6-6 FT, 12 rebounds, 6 assists
Sam Yencha: 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Haley Meinel: 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting, 2-2 FT, 9 steals
Emily Keehfuss: 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, (3-5 3PT), 3 assists
CLOSING IN ON 1,000
Yencha and Robinson both scored on the day to inch closer to 1,000 points in their careers. Yencha had 15 points on the day, getting her to 991 on her career. She is now nine points away from 1,000. Robinson had five points, putting her to 972. She is 27 away from 1,000.
UP NEXT
Jefferson will go back on the road as they face another CACC North opponent when the Rams take on Caldwell University on Tuesday, February 20 at 5:30 p.m. in non-conference action.
