Hightower’s Defensive Award Headlines Griffin Trio On CACC Weekly Report
New Haven, Conn. - (2/13/2016) – Chestnut Hill College captured two crucial Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) victories this week, defeating both Wilmington University and Dominican College in front of the Sorgenti Arena faithful. The resilient Griffins continue to showcase their depth as senior forward Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.), senior guard Ryan Griffin (West Friendship, Md.), and sophomore guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.) all represented the Griffins on the CACC Men’s Basketball Weekly Report. Hightower claimed his second CACC Defensive Player of the Week award while Griffin and Isaac both appeared on the league’s Honor Roll.
In a three-point shooting barrage for both sides, Griffin served as the headline in Tuesday night’s 86-78 win over Wilmington University with a career-high seven three-pointers (7-of-9, .778). Chestnut Hill College hit 14 three-pointers (14-of-27, .519) in all, their highest such total since hitting 15 (15-of-30, .500) in an 86-73 win over Philadelphia Biblical College (Cairn University) back on January 31, 2006. Griffin finished with a career-high 25 points and received plenty of help from his friends as Isaac controlled the point position with 22 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. In just his seventh appearance of his career, Griffin was unflappable, hitting 7-of-9 (.778) from beyond the arch and 4-of-4 (1.000) at the free throw line. Isaac appeared at charity stripe a career-high 18 times and connected 16 (16-of-18, 88.9%) of them to go along with three field goals (3-of-10, .300) in his third game of 20 points or more this season. Chestnut Hill College also owned a 40-34 rebounding advantage as junior forward Gerald Evariste (Philadelphia, Pa.) hauled down a game-high eight boards while freshman forward Bryant Quill (Pottstown, Pa.) and Hightower both recorded seven. Hightower also recorded six points, two blocks, and a steal.
After a low scoring first half on Saturday, February 13, an efficient 60.0% (12-of-20) second-half shooting effort carried Chestnut Hill College to a valuable 60-46 CACC victory over the visitors from Dominican College. Hightower did what captains do in arduous times, leading the Scarlet and Gold with 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and four steals. Hightower was 4-of-6 (.667) from the floor and 4-of-9 (.444) from the free throw line in his fourth double digit effort of the season. Isaac recorded six points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal while Griffin contributed five points, a rebound, and four assists.
Chestnut Hill College continues their CACC postseason push on Wednesday, February 17, when they visit Holy Family University for an 8:00 p.m. contest.