Box Score
Site: Bobby Morgan Arena (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Final Score: Goldey-Beacom 80, Franklin Pierce 71
Records: Goldey-Beacom (1-0), Franklin Pierce (0-1)
Next GBC Event: Saturday, Nov. 9 vs. College of Saint Rose | 1 p.m. | Bobby Morgan Arena (Philadelphia, Pa.)
GBC-Franklin Pierce Box Score: HTML
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Led by a career-high 21 points from junior forward
Chelsea Grover (Seneca H.S./Southampton, N.J.), the Goldey-Beacom College women's basketball team had four starters score at least 10 points en route to an 80-71 victory over Franklin Pierce University (0-1) in the season opener for both teams at the University of the Sciences Mixer at Bobby Morgan Arena on Friday evening.
The win allowed the Lightning to present Coach
Bethann Burke with a victory in her head coaching debut. An assistant coach at Holy Family University for the last four years, Burke was hired as the Lightning's head coach in August.
Grover, who recorded the first 20-point game of her college career, was near perfect against Franklin Pierce. She made all seven of her field goal attempts and converted seven of eight free throws. In addition, Grover added six rebounds for the Lightning, who had a 34-30 rebounding advantage over the Ravens.
Playing in her first game as a member of the Lightning, junior guard
Lillian Chukwueze (Cherry Hill East H.S./Cherry Hill, N.J.) added 18 points by making 5 of 14 shots from the floor while going 7-for-10 from the foul line. She also added two rebounds in the victory.
Junior guard
Taylor Leonard (John A. Coleman Catholic H.S./Lake Katrine, N.Y.) contributed 14 points and six assists while senior forward
Briana Richmond-Peters (Brimm Medical Arts H.S./Camden, N.J.) tallied 10 points with a team-high seven rebounds.
The Lightning shot 52.8 per cent from the field, including a stellar 60.0 per cent effort in the first half while building a 43-38 advantage. Grover tallied 12 of her points during the opening stanza to help the Lightning claim the lead.
Sophomore forward
Kara Charette (Fairhaven H.S./Fairhaven, Mass.) led the Ravens in the loss with a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds. She made 8 of 14 shots from the floor while connecting on 8 of 13 free throw attempts.
The Lightning will continue their season-opening road trip on Saturday afternoon when they play the College of Saint Rose at Bobby Morgan Arena at 1 p.m.
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