Philadelphia, PA – (1/21/2010) – Local rivals, Chestnut Hill College and the University of the Sciences met for the first time this season for what would be a physical and trying affair. The Devils seized an early lead and remained just out of the Griffins' reach to escape Sorgenti Arena with a 65-61, Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), win. Late three-point buckets from freshman guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ)gave the Griffins one last shot at the Devils, but loose rebounds went the visitors' way as time ran out.

The University of the Sciences (4-9, 3-2) held a ten-point advantage, 60-50, with 3:39 remaining in the contest when Chestnut Hill College (6-9, 2-4) finally found their long range shot. Freshman guard Mike Perry Jr. (Mount Laurel, NJ)dropped a trifecta and DiRugeris rained in two more to place the Griffins down three, 64-61, with 1:46 still to play. Chestnut Hill College got the turnover they needed to have a chance at the tie, but could not hit the shots they took before senior forward Adewale Adefemi (Chesilhurst, N.J.) added the insurance point from the charity stripe with 25 ticks left.

Adefemi led the Devils with 19 points, but the offense flowed through freshman guard William Kernan (Medford, N.J.) who nearly reached a triple-double with nine points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Adefemi was equally as effective adding nine rebounds, two blocks, and a steal to his game-high point total. In the post, senior Curtis Fitch (N. Grosvenordale, Conn.) and sophomore Myer Messinger (Trucksville, Pa.) scored 15 points and 14 points respectively, while each grabbing seven rebounds. Fitch made four blocks.

The Griffins looked uncomfortable on their own court, shooting 34.4% (22-of-64) from the floor and always chasing. DiRugeris recovered from a 1-for-8 (12.5%) first half to led Chestnut Hill College with 18 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds demanding the Griffins' rallying charge. Perry finished with eight points, as did sophomore forward Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA)who led the Griffins on the glass with ten rebounds and defensively with four blocks and a steal.

The men's basketball team travels to Post University for a 3:00 p.m. CACC contest on Saturday, January 23.

UNIV. OF THE SCIENCES 65, CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE 61

UNIV. OF THE SCIENCES (4-9, 3-2 CACC)
ADEFEMI, Adewale 6-18 7-11 19; FITCH, Curtis 5-10 2-2 15; MESSINGER, Myer 6-12 2-3 14; KERNAN, William 2-6 4-8 9; WHITWORTH, Matt 2-4 0-0 6; PHILLIP, Omari 1-6 0-0 2. Totals 22-56 15-24 65.

CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE (6-9, 2-4 CACC)

DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 6-19 2-2 18; PERRY, Mike Jr. 3-8 0-0 8; COMAS, Dan 4-5 0-2 8; HANDY, R.J. 1-4 4-4 7; COOK, Ryan 2-16 1-2 6; JETER, Larz 2-4 0-1 5; RIVERS, Andre 2-4 0-0 4; ASHE, Francis 1-2 1-2 3; McFADDEN, Julian 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 22-64 8-13 61.

Points by Half                        1       2         F 

Univ. of the Sciences              32      33      65

Chestnut Hill College                27      34       61

3-point goals - Univ. of the Science 6-18 (FITCH, Curtis 3-7; WHITWORTH, Matt 2-3; KERNAN, William 1-2; PHILLIP, Omari 0-4; MESSINGER, Myer 0-2), Chestnut Hill College 9-28 (DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 4-10; PERRY, Mike Jr. 2-4; HANDY, R.J. 1-3; JETER, Larz 1-2; COOK, Ryan 1-7; McFADDEN, Julian 0-1; RIVERS, Andre 0-1). Folued Out - Univ. of the Science-None, Chestnut Hill College-JETER, Larz. Rebounds - Univ. of the Science 44 (KERNAN, William 11), Chestnut Hill College 42 (COMAS, Dan 10). Assists--Univ. of the Science 18 (KERNAN, William 8), Chestnut Hill College 11 (COOK, Ryan 2; ASHE, Francis 2; DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 2; McFADDEN, Julian 2). Total fouls--Univ. of the Science 14, Chestnut Hill College 24. Technical fouls--Univ. of the Science-FITCH, Curtis, Chestnut Hill College-None. A-289