#12/18 Women's Basketball Holds off Late Comeback by Molloy

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The #12/18 ranked Thomas Jefferson University women's basketball team (2-0) held a five-point leading heading into the fourth quarter where they fought off a hungry Lions team as the Rams earned the non-conference victory over Molloy University (1-1) in Sunday afternoon competition.

WHAT HAPPENED 

• Jefferson goes ahead 21-15 in the first quarter off 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%) on the floor. Four different Rams scored to begin the contest with Sam Yencha, Emma Kuczynski, Emily Spratt, and Cassie Murphy making their baskets 

• Tor Nigro joined in with three points to open the game as well. Yencha grabbed six of her 13 rebounds in the first quarter 

• Molloy stringed together a tough defense in the second quarter, outscoring Jefferson 15-9 

• Yencha made two free throws, Jordyn Thomas hit her shot, and Murphy connected on an and-one for Jefferson 

• The Lions took the lead late after a 10-0 run which saw two three-pointers from Rosa Rizzitelli and Sophia Yearwood. Murphy hit a jumper to tie the game at 30-30 heading into the half 

• Rams string together 20 points in the third to reclaim their lead, holding Molloy to 15 

• Murphy posted 10 points in the third for Jefferson while Spratt made two free throws while Kuczynski and Yencha  

• Fourth quarter sees Molloy cut the lead by two points off Casey Campo basket and Rizzitelli three-pointer 

• Gabby Recinto hits her layup as Yencha scores six to turn the tides and make the match a 10 point game 

• The Lions continued to cut into the lead, getting as close as three points, but the Rams held on as they walked away the East Region Challenge with a 68-63 victory 

TEAM STATS 
FG: 24-of-59 (40.7%) 
3PT: 0-of-1 (0.00%) 
FT: 20-of-28 (71.4%) 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE 
Sam Yencha: 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, 6-6 FT, 13 rebounds 
Cassie Murphy: 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting, 5-7 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assists 
Emma Kuczynski: 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 assists 
Tori Nigro: 8 points on 1-of-5 shooting, 6-8 FT, 7 assists, 2 rebounds 

UP NEXT 
Jefferson will have their home opener on Wednesday, November 13 at 6 p.m. as the Rams face off Dominican University of New York in a non-conference matchup.