BRYN ATHYN, Pa. – The No. 12 seed Cedar Crest College basketball team was defeated by Bryn Athyn College, 79-31, in a United East Conference Tournament First Round matchup on Wednesday night at Asplundh Field House.

Bryn Athyn held the Falcons scoreless in the first quarter, holding a 17-0 lead after one.

Cedar Crest got on the scoreboard in the second stanza on a layup from senior Rachel Bilger (Philadelphia, Pa./Upper Dublin) with 8:55 remaining on the clock. Bilger registered another basket just over two minutes later to make the score, 22-4. The margin got up to 27, 31-4, and then sophomore Caylie Long (Powder Springs, Ga./Hillgrove) knocked down four straight free throws to trim the deficit to 23, 31-8. Bryn Athyn pushed its lead to as many as 29 in the quarter and then after a layup from Long, the Lions converted a free throw to enter the half with a 28-point advantage.

The Falcons began the third quarter on a 7-2 run to cut the deficit to 23, 40-17. The Lions responded with an 11-3 run to extend the lead to 31, 51-20. Cedar Crest was able to get back to within 27 in the frame and enter the fourth down 56-29.

Bryn Athyn outscored the Falcons 23-2 in the fourth quarter en route to the 38-point decision, 79-31.

The Lions shot 44.9 percent from the floor and held a 45-30 advantage on the glass.

Long led Cedar Crest with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal. Bilger added eight points, six boards, one assist, and one steal. Senior Bryanna Rivera (Reading, Pa./Greenfield (Mass.)) collected seven points, four caroms, one assist, and one steal. First-year Maliya Gonzalez (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) pitched in two points, five rebounds, one assist, and two steals. Senior Francess Suah (Philadelphia, Pa./Constitution) closed out the scoring for the Falcons with two points and one rebound.

Senior Zhymani Smith (Hampton, Va.) recorded a game-high 20 points to go with three rebounds, four assists, and four steals to guide Bryn Athyn. Senior Alayna Day (Reading, pa.) followed with 18 points, eight caroms, and three steals. First-year Xola Wade (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.) was the final Lion student-athlete in double-digit points with 10 points, three boards, three assists, and three steals.

Cedar Crest ends its season with an 8-12 overall record (6-10 United East). Bryn Athyn (20-6 overall) will square off against fourth-seeded Penn College on Saturday, February 22.