Hightower Honored As CACC’s Top Defender, McWade Selected for Honor Roll Mention
New Haven, Conn. - (12/21/2015) – A contributor of 6.7 points-per-game (PPG), 10.7 rebounds-per-game (RPG), six assists, eight blocks, and five steals, senior forward Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.) earned this week’s Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Defensive Player of the Week award while an offering of 19.7 PPG, 9.3 RPG, seven assists, and two steals from Edward McWade (Wildwood, N.J.) placed the sophomore forward on league’s Weekly Honor Roll. Behind their play Chestnut Hill College earned a CACC victory over Wilmington University before splitting a pair of pre-holiday road contests at American International College (AIC) and St. Michael’s College.
Leaving the decision in the hands of a few, only seven players from each side saw the court in Wednesday night’s CACC contest at Wilmington University. In the end, the Chestnut Hill College (5-7) seven proved the stronger of the two sides as the Griffins earned their second league win in an 81-69 triumph over the Wildcats. Senior guard Luke Dickson (Pitman, N.J.) and McWade led the Scarlet and Gold pride, each providing 21 points in a lethal combination of inside-out play.
McWade produced his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds in addition to his 21 points, matching a collegiate career-high set earlier this season in the Griffins’ first CACC win of the season (80-72 vs. Georgian Court University, 12/2/15). He was 8-of-14 (.571) from the field, including 2-of-5 (.400) from long range, and 3-of-3 (1.000) from the free throw line while recording four assists and a steal. Hightower continued to do the dirty work, grinding out five points, eight rebounds, an assist, three blocks, and three steals in another useful effort.
On Saturday, Hightower and McWade ensured Chestnut Hill College a 45-35 rebounding advantage, but a more efficient AIC offense (43.4%-36.5%) hit a couple more three point baskets and got to the free throw line more frequently in a 74-63 victory over the Griffins. McWade recorded his second straight double-double, pairing his team-high 17 points with 11 rebounds while Hightower snared a team-high 12 rebounds in addition to seven points, two assists, a block, and a steal.
Chestnut Hill College headed into the holiday break on a high note, triumphing over the Purple Knights 75-63 in Sunday’s contest at the Ross Sports Center. McWade was as the center of the Griffins winning effort, which outshot St. Michael’s College (51.4%-45.2%) in the opening half and united for victory in the second half behind Hightower. McWade’s 21 points matched a career-high and led four of the Griffins’ starting five players that finished in double figures. It was his fourth consecutive game in double figures, hitting 8-of-14 (.571) from the field, 2-of-5 (.400) from three-point range, and 3-of-3 (1.000) at the free throw line in his third 21-point effort of the year. Hightower was the playmaker, filling up the box score with eight points, 12 rebounds, three assists, four blocks, and a steal.
Chestnut Hill College returns to their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) schedule in the New Year as they welcome Holy Family University to Sorgenti Arena for a 3:00 p.m. contest on Sunday, January 3.
