Toplyn Defense Garners Honor Roll Rewards on CACC Weekly Report
New Haven, Conn. - (1/4/2016) – In a game where both sides seemed reluctant to score, free throws and defense were the story in a 59-48 CACC final that fell in the Holy Family University’s favor. Adding eight points and six rebounds to a block and two steals, freshman forward Antonio Toplyn Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J.) represented Chestnut Hill College on this week’s Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Honor Roll.
Holy Family University (11-3, 5-0) wrestled for a three-point, 26-23, halftime lead which they never surrendered, overcoming a 50-39 Griffin rebounding advantage with a 12-17 edge in turnovers and a slightly better shooting effort (30.9%-28.1%). An uneventful first half saw the Tigers take the lead from Chestnut Hill College (5-8, 2-3) for the last time with less than five minutes remaining, 18-16 (4:27). Senior guard Eric Fleming (Philadelphia, Pa.), who was the only player to give a good showing from three-point range (4-of-7, .571), buried back-to-back three-point baskets to bring the visitors from one point down, 16-15 (4:44), to five points ahead, 21-16 (3:58), with senior guard Marvin Crawford (Edison, N.J.) preserving the Tiger advantage at three points, 26-23, heading to the halftime break.
Following intermission, the local league rivals forced play to the free throw line. Chestnut Hill College used it to their advantage, controlling the boards (26-20), and working their way back within one point, 36-35, midway through the half (9:55). Unfortunately, a series of ill-timed fouls separated Holy Family University for a six-point advantage, 41-35 (7:52), on a Crawford three-point play. Over the bonus and desperate for a break, the Griffins lost an uphill battle that saw the Tiger lead balloon to double digits, 54-44 (1:29), in the final minutes and rest at 11 points, 59-48, on a pair of closing free throws from senior guard Reggie Charles (Philadelphia, Pa.).
The men’s basketball team heads to Post University on Wednesday, January 6, when they face the Eagles in an 8:00 p.m. CACC contest.
