GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The Philadelphia University women's basketball team's 2014-15 campaign gave to an end after a 69-55 defeat at the hands of the University of New Haven in the opening round of the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament Friday afternoon on the campus of Adelphi University.

The Rams—who received an at-large bid into the Tournament—conclude the season with an overall record of 22-9. Philadelphia made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the first since 2009.

New Haven improves to 24-5 overall and will take on Franklin Pierce—a 78-66 winner over the District of Columbia—in the second round of the tournament on Saturday, March 14 at 5 p.m.

Junior forward Mary Newell (Lansdale, Pa./Villa Joseph Marie) was Philadelphia's leading scorer with 13 points, on 6-of-8 shooting, in 17 minutes. Junior guard Bri Young (Philadelphia, Pa./Prep Charter) and junior forward Tori Arnao (Newtown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) both poured in 12 points. Arnao contributed 10 rebounds to end the season with

Senior guard Najah Jacobs (Philadelphia, Pa./Prep Charter) contributed 11 points in her final collegiate game.

New Haven never trailed in the contest thanks to a fast 6-0 start in the opening three minutes. Philadelphia quickly closed the gap to 8-5 with a brief 5-2 spurt that included an Arnao jumper and a Young 3-pointer.

With the Rams down 11-8, the Chargers made three consecutive baskets, capped off by an Aquillin Hayes jumper, as they scored seven straight points to take their first double-digit lead of the game (18-8) with 10:45 left in the half.

Philadelphia pounded New Haven inside, getting eight points in the paint in an 8-5 surge, to trim the Chargers' double-digit lead to 23-18. The Rams were 4-of-6 shooting, while the Chargers shot 1-of-6.

Trailing by 12, Young made a layup with 1:08 left in the half and a free throw with 34 seconds of the clock to bring Philadelphia within nine (34-25). A Briana Bradford basket with three seconds remaining gave New Haven a 36-25 cushion.

The Chargers' lead never dipped below 11 over the final 20 minutes.

Bradford paced New Haven with a game-high 21 points, 11 in the opening half, three rebounds and two assists. Hayes racked up 12 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, and two blocked shots.

The Chargers owned a 50-36 rebounding advantage, 18-7 on the offensive glass.