Philadelphia, PA – (1/7/2009) – Busy hands helped Chestnut Hill College to a 35-22 first half advantage, the Griffins forced 21 Holy Family University turnovers in the contest to eventually claim a 79-62, Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) triumph. Freshman guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ) led the Griffins in the opening period with ten of his 12 points in the half, sophomore guard Ryan Cook (Laurel, MD) finished as the team's high scorer with 22 points.

Seven Griffins recorded at least two steals as Chestnut Hill College (5-7, 1-2) scored 28 points off turnovers in the 17-point victory; the Griffins' first over the Tigers. The Griffins were 5-of-18 (27.8%) from long range in the first half, but they hit them at key moments to capitalize on an aggressive, defensive effort. Cook has scored 22 points in back-to-back contests, and he added four assists and three steals to this evening's performance. Graduate forward Larz Jeter (Philadelphia, PA) made sure the Griffins held their first half advantage with all of his 15 points coming in the closing period. He also grabbed seven rebounds. Sophomore forward Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) led the Griffins with 13 rebounds, tying his season-high for the third time this season. He also scored eight points.

Sophomore forward Justin Swidowski (Cinnaminson, N.J.) was the high scorer for Holy Family University (0-12, 0-4) with 25 points. He also recorded eight rebounds and made four blocks. Freshman guard Khiry Hankins (Cincinnati, Ohio) added 12 points and six assists, while senior forward Jawara Stephenson (Baltimore, Md.) came off the bench with eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Freshman guard Taylor Papion (Lafayette, La.) provided eight assists for the Tigers.

The men's basketball team will continue their CACC schedule with a 3:00 p.m. contest at Bloomfield College on Saturday, January 9.

CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE 79, HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY 62

CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE (5-7, 1-2 CACC)
COOK, Ryan 7-17 7-8 22; JETER, Larz 6-12 3-4 15; DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 5-11 0-0 12; COMAS, Dan 3-9 2-2 8; McFADDEN, Julian 2-7 1-2 7; ASHE, Francis 3-7 0-0 6; RIVERS, Andre 3-5 0-0 6; PERRY, Mike Jr. 1-6 1-1 3; HANDY, R.J. 0-0 0-0 0; OLUWOLE, Christopher 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-74 14-17 79.

HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY (0-12, 0-4 CACC)
SWIDOWSKI, Justin 12-21 1-1 25; HANKINS, Khiry 6-17 0-0 12; STEPHENSON, Jawara 3-6 1-2 8; CREWS, Rickie 3-5 1-1 7; PAPION, Taylor 1-4 2-4 4; BADEEN, Ben 1-1 0-0 3; TRAORE, Ismaila 1-3 1-2 3; MUSHMAN, Sam 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-58 6-10 62.

Points by Half                                          1          2          F
Chestnut Hill College                           35        44        79
Holy Family University                           22        40        62

3-point goals--Chestnut Hill College 5-24 (DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 2-7; McFADDEN, Julian 2-7; COOK, Ryan 1-4; ASHE, Francis 0-2; RIVERS, Andre 0-1; PERRY, Mike Jr. 0-2; JETER, Larz 0-1), Holy Family 2-8 (BADEEN, Ben 1-1; STEPHENSON, Jawara 1-1; CREWS, Rickie 0-1; HANKINS, Khiry 0-4; SWIDOWSKI, Justin 0-1). Fouled out--Chestnut Hill College-None, Holy Family-None. Rebounds--Chestnut Hill College 39 (COMAS, Dan 13), Holy Family 39 (TRAORE, Ismaila 10). Assists--Chestnut Hill College 15 (ASHE, Francis 6), Holy Family 19 (PAPION, Taylor 8). Total fouls--Chestnut Hill College 13, Holy Family 11. Technical fouls--Chestnut Hill College-None, Holy Family-TEAM. A-175