PHILADELPHIA – The Rams went into the break ahead 39-35, but a valiant Lions team fought back to steal a win as Thomas Jefferson University women's basketball (9-6) are downed by Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (8-8) in Thursday night non-conference action.
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• Both Rams and Lions put-up high-volume points in the first quarter, with Lincoln edging Jefferson 21-20
• Emily Spratt registered 10 of her career-high 24 points in the first, with eight of them being consecutive shots made
• Emma Kuczynski nailed a three to turn the game 18-16 for Jefferson with 2:40 in the first, but Ciani Montgomery connected with her own three to retake the lead
• Cassie Murphy hit a jumper for Jefferson. Anyia Gibson scored before the quarter expired for a Lions lead heading to the second
• The Rams got their momentum in the second, putting up 19 points over Lincoln's 15
• After Kaziah Akinniyi made it a four point game, Murphy and Kaci Mikulski tied it with their jumpers
• After Lincoln retook the lead, Jefferson went on a 13-5 run for the rest of the second. Spratt added four points, Kuczynski made a three and jumper, and Murphy made two free throws alongside Tori Nigro to get Jefferson up 39-35 at the break
• Lincoln came out in the third with determination, scoring 24 points to the Rams 15
• Murphy had a tipin shot go in while Kuczynski delivered again on the floor and beyond the arc, making both her shots. Spratt connected with both free throws as the game was 48-41 in favor of Jefferson
• The Lions put a 18-6 run from the 6:37 mark to the end of the third, which gave them the lead 59-54. Carlolyn Sipprell made a basket while Spratt earned four points during that stretch for Jefferson
• The final 10 minutes proved to be a defensive battle, with multiple instances of stretches that saw no points scored
• Kaya Burkhart and Murphy made tipin baskets with Kuczynski and Spratt going to the line and making free throws in the final quarter
• The Lions did not falter, making shots when needed and putting the game away as they defeated Jefferson 75-66
• Spratt and Murphy both earned double doubles on the night (24 pts, 10 rebounds Spratt; 11 points, 10 rebounds Murphy)

 
TEAM STATS
FG: 25-of-63 (39.7%)
3PT: 3-of-17 (17.6%)
FT: 13-of-17 (76.5%)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Emily Spratt: 24 points (career-high) on 10-of-18 shooting, 4-4 FT, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
Emma Kuczynski: 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting (3-9 3PT), 3-3 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Cassie Murphy: 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 3-4 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
 
UP NEXT
Jefferson will return to the Gallagher Center on Saturday, January 18 as they faceoff against the University of Bridgeport in CACC action at 2 p.m.  Read Full Article