PHILADELPHIA – The No. 22 USciences women's basketball erased a double-digit deficit in the third quarter alone, but the Devils went cold down the stretch of an eventual 51-41 loss to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) leader Chestnut Hill on Tuesday evening. 

Trailing by a game-high 13, 29-16, just 1:54 ahead of the half, it was Taylor Hamm that brought the Devils back into it as she scored the final seven points of the second quarter, capped by an and-one four second before the buzzer to bring the score to 29-23 entering the locker room.  

Chestnut Hill (13-3, 7-0 CACC) would quickly re-establish its double-digit advantage, 33-23, in the opening minute of the third quarter, but the USciences defense would then hold the Griffins scoreless for 8:26.

That allowed USciences to gain its largest advantage, 38-33, when Anna McTamney's 3-poitner 36 seconds ahead of the fourth capped 15 unanswered. Jess Huber had two and-ones in the stretch, which also featured four points from Hamm. 

That lead was short-lived though as Chestnut Hill scored the next six points, the final four of which began the fourth. 

Two Hamm free throws with 7:18 remaining momentarily regained the lead, 40-39, and Isla Brenann added a foul shot of her own 20 seconds later, but the Devils would not score again.  

Chestnut Hill tied the score back up the ensuing possession before taking the lead for good on a layup with 4:37 to play. 

University of the Sciences shot just 26.9 percent (14-of-52) on the evening, 

Hamm was the only Devil in double-figures as her career and game-high 18 points, which included making 6-of-7 free throws, were eight more than any other player. She also led USciences in rebounding, falling one board shy of her third double-double in four games.  

University of the Sciences matched its largest lead of the first half, 13-11, when Dayna Balasa closed the first quarter scoring with a 3-pointer, and the Devils were also ahead by two, 15-13, on Harlem Jennings' layup 1:02 in the second. 

Chestnut Hill would take control with 11 unanswered over 2:40 seconds though, and a layup completed the 16-1 spurt for the game-high 13-point advantage at the 1:54 mark.  

University of the Sciences hosts two games in three days later this week, beginning with Thursday's 5:30 p.m. tip against Bloomfield.