CALDWELL, N.J. – The #19/12 Thomas Jefferson University women's basketball team (22-3, 13-1 CACC) dominated the second quarter for the second game in a row and defeated Caldwell (10-14, 6-9 CACC), 85-54, on Saturday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rams led for the majority of the first quarter but the Cougars remained within striking distance, the margin not eclipsing five over the opening seven minutes. Jefferson nursed a one-point lead (15-14) at the three-minute mark before scoring seven in a row to up the difference to eight (22-14). Haley Meinel scored four points and Cassie Murphy added three. The Rams were ahead by five (24-19) entering the second.
 
After a Caldwell layup to begin the second quarter, Jefferson tallied another seven straight to make it a 10-point game (31-21) with 6:29 on the clock. The Cougars came back with a three-pointer but then the Rams finished the half with a 15-0 run for a 46-24 halftime lead. Murphy led the way with nine points. Overall, Jefferson outscored Caldwell, 22-5, in the second quarter. The Rams shot 50.0% (7-of-14) while limiting the Cougars to just 12.5% (2-of-16).
 
Caldwell registered five of the first seven points in the third quarter to get within 19 (48-29). However, Jefferson answered with seven in a row to up the margin to 26 (55-29) with 5:54 left. The difference did not dip below 20 again as the Rams cruised the rest of the way.
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Cassie Murphy: 28 points on 11-of-13 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
Haley Meinel: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Sam Yencha: 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Morgan Robinson: 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
 
JEFFERSON AS A TEAM
FG: 34-of-58 (58.6%)
3PT: 1-of-7 (14.3%)
FT: 16-of-19 (84.2%)
 
NOTES
- Cassie Murphy posted her sixth 20-point performance of the year.
- Sam Yencha registered a double-double for the 12^th time this season.
- Haley Meinel recorded her 250^th career steal, one of only two players in program history to reach the mark (Tammy Greene).
 
CACC PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Rams increased their hold on first place in the South Division to two games thanks to Holy Family's loss at Dominican. Jefferson's magic number to clinch a home game for the quarterfinals is down to two (excluding tiebreakers) with three contests left in the regular season.
 
UP NEXT
The Rams close the regular season with a three-game homestand beginning on Tuesday, February 14^th at 6 p.m. versus Georgian Court.