#11 Women's Basketball Holds Onto 68-62 Win Against Kutztown, Stays Undefeated
KUTZTOWN, PA – The #11 ranked Thomas Jefferson University women's basketball team (4-0) would go on the road and were able to hold off an upset attempt by the Golden Bears as the Rams left Keystone Arena with a 68-62 victory over Kutztown University (1-3) in non-conference action this Saturday afternoon.
WHAT HAPPENED
Jefferson and Kutztown would be even throughout the first quarter, tying the game six times in the first 10 minutes. Sam Yencha would score 10 of her team-leading 16 points in that quarter, helping Jefferson go into the second with a 18-17 lead.
After the Golden Bears tied it at 20-20 from a Naia Pulliam three, Jefferson would go on a 9-2 run that put them ahead 29-22 as Yencha had four more points while Emily Keehfuss hit a three of her own. Kutztown would get within two points, but Jefferson would keep their foot on the gas and stay right ahead, with Haley Meinel scored a layup that would give the Rams a 38-33 lead heading into the break.
The Golden Bears would inch closer to the Rams as Kutztown outscored Jefferson in the third quarter 11-9. Abbey Hearn had four points in the third while Pulliam made another three. Meinel would make two free throws and have her own three pointer to keep the Ram's lead still intact, as the Golden Bears had the last four points in the quarter and were down 47-44 heading into the last quarter. Yencha would have five of her game-high 12 rebounds in this quarter, pushing her to a double double.
The Rams would get their feet going in the fourth as they scored 21 points, the most out of any quarter in this contest for Jefferson. Keehfuss and Meinel would have two fast-break points while Cassie Murphy hit her free throws to keep the Rams up 53-47. Kutztown would not go down easily, with Casey and Shannon Remolde would each hit a three pointer to keep it within five points. But the Rams would make their points through free throws, converting 13-of-18 in the quarter. Kutztown had one three made with 15 seconds left to cut the lead to four, but two free throws to end the game earned Jefferson the 68-62 win.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Sam Yencha: 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, 6-6 FT, 12 rebounds, 2 assists
Haley Meinel: 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting, 6 steals, 3 rebounds
Cassie Murphy: 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, 4-4 FT, 8 rebounds
Emily Keehfuss: 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting (1-3 3PT), 3-4 FT
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 22-56 (39.3%)
3PT: 2-10 (20%)
FT: 22-29 (75.9%)
UP NEXT
#11 Jefferson will play at home for the first time this season as the Rams welcomes another PSAC opponent on the schedule when they host East Stroudsburg University on Tuesday, November 21 at 6 p.m.
