Tip-Off Weekend Places Three Griffins on CACC Weekly Report
New Haven, Conn. - (11/16/2015) – Chestnut Hill College went 1-1 for their tip-off weekend, opening the 2015-2016 season with a 93-86 win over the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) at Philadelphia University on Saturday, November 14, before taking an 83-73 loss at the hands of Franklin Pierce University in their home opener of Sunday, November 15. For their parts in the action, freshman forward Antonio Toplyn Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J.), senior forward Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.), and senior guard Luke Dickson (Pitman, N.J.) all earned weekly recognition from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference; Toplyn was selected at the league’s Rookie of the Week.
Chestnut Hill College made good on Coach Balcer's preseason quotes as five Griffins finished in double figures, running the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) out of Philadelphia University's Gallagher Center by a 93-86 final in Saturday evening's season-opening tilt. Powered by a relentless backcourt comprised of Dickson and sophomore Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.), the Griffins controlled double-digit leads in both halves on a brilliant 16-of-28 (.571) shooting performance that included a 50.0% clip from long range and a preserving 82.6% (19-of-23) second-half free throw effort.
The Griffins received a combined 47 points, six rebounds, 13 assists, a block, and four steals from its starting backcourt as Dickson did his part with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists, a block, and two steals in the season opener. He connected on four three-pointers (4-of-7, .571) in a 6-of-14 (.429) shooting performance that brought with it a 5-of-6 (.833) free throw effort. Toplyn totaled six points, five rebounds, an assist, and three blocks while Hightower contributed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
Unfortunately, Chestnut Hill College experienced firsthand the difference a day can make as Saturday’s high-paced, high scoring, performance versus UDC gave way to a dismal home shooting performance that left the Griffins behind Franklin Pierce University in an 83-73 final. The Ravens shot 52.9% (18-of-34) from the field for a 44-34 halftime spread that they preserved in the second half behind a reliable afternoon from senior guard Tyler Iacuone (Mahopac, N.Y.), who led the visitors with 22 points.
Dickson finished with a game-high 24 points, hitting 9-of-18 (.500) from the field and 6-of-12 (.500) from three-point territory, while grabbing three rebounds and handing out three assists. Toplyn offered eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while Hightower provided four points, 11 rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal.
Chestnut Hill College returns to Sorgenti Arena on Friday, November 20, when they welcome The Lincoln University to campus for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
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