Philadelphia, PA – (12/5/2009) – Chestnut Hill College was out-played from the opening tip by West Chester University in this afternoon's non-conference matchup of local rivals. The Golden Rams shot 52.5% (31-of-59) from the field, including a 50.0% (11-of-22) clip from long range to defeat the Griffins 79-49. The Golden Rams led by as many as 41 in the second half, before the Griffin reserves gave a rallying effort down the stretch.

Chestnut Hill College (3-4) was able to hang around for the opening five minutes, but the accurate shooting of the Golden Rams eventually gave way to a 29-10 run leaving the Griffins down 19, 36-17, with 2:23 left in the opening period. Senior center Ralph Hegamin (Virginia Beach, Va.) led the Golden Rams to a commanding 41-22 halftime lead behind 12 points and four assists. Freshman guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ) scored eight in the first half to lead the Griffins.

The Golden Rams continued to control the contest in the second frame extending their advantage to 41, 77-36, before a final push from the Griffin reserves brought the final to a 30-point differential. Hegamin finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists and led the Golden Rams' impressive shooting display hitting 8-of-12 (75.0%) from the floor, including 2-of-2 (100.0%) from three-point territory. He also sank both of his attempts from the charity stripe. Freshman forward Harley Williamson (Lower Merion, Pa.) chipped in with 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Freshman guard Isaiah Twine (Williamsport, Pa.) provided 11 points, sophomore guard Sandy Tanner (Philadelphia, PA.) handed out six assists, and junior guard Elie Daniel (Upper Darby, Pa.) made five steals. Sophomore guard R.J. Handy (Philadelphia, PA) spirited the Griffins' final run coming off the bench to score six points and grab three rebounds. Ten Griffins recorded at least a point, but none reached double-digits as DiRugeris led the way with eight points. Sophomore forward Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) grabbed eight rebounds.

The men's basketball team will travel to Washington Adventist University for a 7:30 p.m. contest on Tuesday, December 8.

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY 79, CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE 49

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY (7-0) 
HEGAMIN, Ralph 8-12 2-2 20; WILLIAMSON, Harley 5-7 2-3 12; TWINE, Isaiah 4-9 1-1 11; FLECKEN, Tim 3-4 0-1 8; SCOTT, Sam 3-5 0-0 6; MAUGLE, Greg 2-4 0-0 5; DANIEL, Elie 2-4 0-0 5; TANNER, Sandy 1-2 1-2 4; HARRISON, Zack 1-2 0-0 3; ROBERTS, Kehinde 1-3 0-0 3; BENN, Thiel 1-1 0-2 2; BRYANT, Gerald 0-3 0-0 0; McGHEE, Isaiah 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 31-59 6-11 79.

CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE (3-4)
DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 2-10 2-2 8; RIVERS, Andre 3-7 0-4 7; PERRY, Mike Jr. 2-4 1-2 7; HANDY, R.J. 2-4 1-3 6; COMAS, Dan 2-6 1-2 5; ASHE, Francis 2-3 0-0 4; JETER, Larz 1-5 1-2 4; COKER, Kwambina 0-1 4-5 4; McFADDEN, Julian 1-5 0-0 2; COOK, Ryan 1-4 0-0 2; OLUWOLE, Christopher 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 16-50 10-20 49.

Points by Half                                          1          2          F
West Chester University                      41         38        79
Chestnut Hill College                           22         27        49

3-point goals--West Chester University 11-22 (HEGAMIN, Ralph 2-2; TWINE, Isaiah 2-3; FLECKEN, Tim 2-3; HARRISON, Zack 1-2; TANNER, Sandy 1-2; ROBERTS, Kehinde 1-2; MAUGLE, Greg 1-3; DANIEL, Elie 1-2; BRYANT, Gerald 0-1; McGHEE, Isaiah 0-1; WILLIAMSON, Harley 0-1), Chestnut Hill College 7-19 (DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 2-6; PERRY, Mike Jr. 2-3; RIVERS, Andre 1-2; HANDY, R.J. 1-2; JETER, Larz 1-1; COOK, Ryan 0-1; OLUWOLE, Christopher 0-1; McFADDEN, Julian 0-3). Fouled out--West Chester University-BENN, Thiel, Chestnut Hill College-None. Rebounds--West Chester University 40 (HEGAMIN, Ralph 7), Chestnut Hill College 32 (COMAS, Dan 8). Assists--West Chester University 21 (TANNER, Sandy 6), Chestnut Hill College 10 (JETER, Larz 2; McFADDEN, Julian 2; DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 2). Total fouls--West Chester University 22, Chestnut Hill College 15. Technical fouls--West Chester University-None, Chestnut Hill College-None. A-156