WILMINGTON, Del. – Senior forward Kristen Blye (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown E.) posted 12 points and 13 rebounds in the Philadelphia University women's basketball team's 68-57 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) loss to Goldey-Beacom Tuesday night in the Jones Center.

Despite the loss, Philadelphia (12-12, 8-9 CACC) clinched a spot in the CACC Tournament thanks to Georgian Court's loss at the University of the Sciences. The Rams will be the fourth seed in the southern division and face the top seed from the north in the first round on Saturday, March 2.

Junior guard Samantha Morris (Wenonah, N.J./Deptford) and sophomore guards Monica Schacker (Doylestown, Pa./Germantown Academy) and Najah Jacobs (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) all poured in 11 points.

The Lightning (19-8, 16-2 CACC) got a game-high 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists from Irene Hudson. Devonne Richardson contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Chelsea Grover had 12 points.

Philadelphia faced a 55-28 deficit with 17:12 left after a Grover basket in the lane. Freshman forward Tori Arnao (Newtown, Pa./Archbishop Wood)  drained a lay-up on the Rams' next possession to start a 13-4 run that closed the gap to 59-41.

Trailing 65-45 with 4:55 to play, Philadelphia mounted a furious rally to give itself a chance late. Schacker (five) and Morris (four) combined to score the game's next nine points to make the score 65-55 with 59 seconds on the clock. Five seconds later, Blye hit a jumper to pull the Rams within eight at 65-57.

The rally would fall short as the Lightning sealed the game by hitting three free throws.

After trading baskets to open the contest, the Lightning's Chelsea Grover hit a lay-up to spark a 16-2 run that put them ahead 18-4 with 14:39 left in the half. The gap grew to 24 points (47-23) on a Monique Cheek jumper at the 1:11 mark to cap a 15-5 run.

Philadelphia shot 32.4 percent (24-of-74) from the field, while Goldey-Beacom connected on 47.5 percent (28-of-59) of its shots. The Rams won the rebounding battle 43-41, including a 19-8 advantage on the offensive end.

The Rams return to Delaware to take on Wilmington (Del.) on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m.