Spann Scores CACC Men’s Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week Awards
New Haven, Conn. - (2/3/2020) – Freshman guard Scottie Spann Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa.) was named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Men’s Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week today, Monday, February 3, as he averaged 23.0 points per game (PPG) and 9.5 rebounds per game (RPG) during Chestnut Hill College’s 1-1 week of league action. Sophomore guard Trevonn Pitts (Wyncote, Pa.) joined him on the CACC report with his first Weekly Honor Roll recognition of the season; he offered 18.0 PPG and 8.5 RPG while contributing three assists, two blocks, and eight steals to the Griffins’ success.
Staying in the thick of the CACC playoff race, Chestnut Hill College earned valuable win with Wednesday (January 29) night's 84-76 league victory over Georgian Court University (7-11, 5-6). The Griffins turned the corner midway through the first half, tying the Lions at 14-14 (13:55) and stole the momentum with Pitts’ physical play before finishing the frame with a 10-4 run; 37-31. The Griffins added insult to injury with a flurry of three-point baskets to start the second half as Spann hit the first (40-33, 19:24) and the last in an 11-4 rush that gave the Scarlet and Gold a 48-37 lead with 17:18 remaining. Another Spann basket pushed the Chestnut Hill College lead to 13 points, 50-37 (15:40), which was enough separation to withstand the Lion rally that cut the difference to three points, 60-57 (10:31), midway through the period. The following Scarlet and Gold run included a pair of huge three pointers (13:17, 10:52) from sophomore guard James Rider IV (Baltimore, Md.) and returned the Griffins to their 13-point, (72-59) perch with 6:58 left to play. The Lions rallied once more in the time remaining, cutting the margin to four points, 78-74 (1:08), before Chestnut Hill College frequented the free throw line for an 84-76 prize.
Although Spann led the Griffins in scoring, Rider's outside shooting was key for Chestnut Hill College. He hit 4-of-6 (.667) from long range and finished the contest with 19 points, while recording three rebounds and a steal. Spann finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, a block and a steal, while Pitts finished with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, a block, and four steals.
Chestnut Hill College let Saturday’s (February 1) league contest slip through their fingers as the Concordia College (NY) (4-16, 3-8) defense denied the Griffins in the closing seconds of a 75-74 (0:05) final. The Clippers led for a majority of the first half and for an extended time by double-digit points, but the ever-active Spann helped keep the halftime deficit at seven points, 39-32 (0:39), before a three pointer from sophomore guard James Rider IV (Baltimore, Md.) gave the Griffins their first lead their second lead of the game; 59-58 (10:32), halfway through the closing frame. The Scarlet and Gold briefly held the advantage, only to give back to the Clippers with 8:47 (64-63), and regain it on a free throw from sophomore forward Amir Warrick (Washington, DC) with 5:45 (67-66) to play. After Warrick’s free throws the game knotted four more times (5:27, 4:11, 2:38, 0:42) before a timely block and steal sequence from junior forward Alex White Jr. (Middletown, Conn.) gave the home team the final possession. In the time remaining, freshman guard Dion Herrington (Englewood, N.J.) drew a foul and hit the second of two free throws to promote Concordia College.
Spann (24 points, 10 rebounds) and Pitts (19 points, 11 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles, while Warrick served as the Scarlet and Gold’s top reserve with 15 points, six rebounds, a block, and a steal. Spann added four assists, a block, and a steal to his third double-double of the season. Meanwhile, Pitts paired his first career double-double with his second straight four-steal game. He also recorded an assist and a block.
