DiRugeris Returns to CACC Weekly Report
New Haven, Conn. – (1/28/2013) – Chestnut Hill College senior guard
Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, N.J.) earned his fourth honorable mention for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Player of the Week award as the league’s second leading scorer averaged 20.5 points-per-game (PPG) in a 1-1 week of CACC play for the Griffins. DiRugeris first offered 24 points in the Griffins 73-63 victory over Holy Family University on January 23, before recording 17 points in a 94-86 loss at Dominican College on January 26.
On January 23, a rollercoaster first half saw Chestnut Hill College (9-9, 5-4) lead Holy Family University by as many as 13 points, 24-11, before taking a two-point lead, 30-28, to the break. As emotions ran high in Sorgenti Arena the Griffins kept their feathers cool with DiRugeris and sophomore forward
Alssene Saintilus (Irvington N.J) leading the home team to a 73-63 CACC triumph. DiRugeris headlined four Griffins in double figures with a game-high 24 points, hitting four of his six field goals (6-of-14, 42.9%) from three point range (4-of-11, 36.4%) and adding an 8-of-9 (88.9%) clip from the foul line. Later, on January 26, the Griffins went blow for blow in the opening period with the Chargers. Unfortunately, the Chargers scored the last basket of the first half for a narrow 48-47 halftime advantage. Despite the Griffins second-half efforts, 27 bench points from sophomore forward Nick Smith (Middletown, N.Y.) helped the Chargers stay one step ahead of the Griffins, 94-86. DiRugeris added six rebounds and two steals to his 17-point evening.
With 18.9 PPG, DiRugeris ranks second in the CACC for scoring. He ranks among the league’s top ten shooters in each category, standing tied for ninth in field goals (103-of-236, 43.6%), third in three-pointers (52-for-121, 43.0%), and tied for fifth in free throws (82-for-90, 91.1%).
The men's basketball team continues CACC play on February 2, when they host Concordia College (NY) in a 3:00 p.m. contest.
