Goldey-Beacom held onto a seven-point lead at halftime over regionally ranked University of the Sciences but fell in a 64-56 defeat Tuesday evening in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest in the Jones Center.
The Lightning struck early in the first quarter, capping a 19-12 lead with a drawn foul for the three-point play on a made layup and free throw by freshman Azuri Abraham (Phillipsburg, N.J.) with seven tenths of a second remaining. From three-point range, the Lightning shot 57 percent (4-of-7).
In quarter two, Goldey-Beacom held U. of the Sciences to just 39 percent (5-of-13) from the field and 14 percent (1-of-7) from the 3-point arc to their 71 percent (5-of-7) and a perfect 100 percent (3-of-3) from the 3-point arc to push the lead 32-25 at halftime.
Sophomore Briana Seltzer (Reading, PA) scored 10 points on 36 percent (4-of-11) from the field and 67 percent (2-of-3) from 3-point range. Junior Alexis Harrison (Millville, N.J.) added nine points and grabbed a pair of rebounds, moving up to the 10th spot on the all-time rebounds list with 512 total, passing former standout Tanner Turner-Rush.
The Devils offensive attack ensued in the third quarter, capitalizing on a double-bonus foul situation to seize the lead, 36-35, with 3:53 remaining with a made pair of free throws from Jess Huber that went a perfect 100 percent (11-for-11) from the charity stripe for the game. The Devils closed out the quarter with a 9-3 run, forcing Lightning to commit eight turnovers, gaining 10 points off of them for a 45-38 lead.
Sophomore Janiya Stevens (Ellendale, Del.) added seven points on 50 percent (3-of-6) from the field. Alanna Speaks (Dover, Del.) snatched seven rebounds and added six points with fellow junior Lexi Weikert (Harrisburg, PA.) dishing six assists for the Lightning (7-16, 2-13 CACC).
Goldey-Beacom cut into the lead in quarter four, coming withing five points, 56-51, with a jumper made by junior Jhordan Gardner (Swedesboro, N.J.) with 3:36 remaining, but it was not enough as the Lightning were forced to foul to retain possession, putting Huber on the line twice more in the 64-56 Devils win.
Jess Huber led all scorers with a career-high 45 points on 64 percent (14-of-22) field goals, 56 percent (6-of-11) from 3-point range and eight rebounds. Taylor Hamm added seven points on 75 percent (3-of-4) from the field and grabbed six rebounds for the Devils (17-3, 12-2 CACC), who entered tied for fifth in the D2SIDA East Region poll.
Goldey-Beacom faces Post University on Thursday in a rescheduled CACC matchup starting at 3pm. The men's game to follow at 5pm.
