Philadelphia, PA – (2/27/2010) – Wilmington University converted a three-point play with three seconds left on the clock to take a 56-55 win over Chestnut Hill College in today's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) season finale. The Griffins held the upper hand at halftime, 25-21, thanks to a quick start and superior shooting. Shooting went the Wildcats' way in the second half, as the Griffins' effort at the line was not enough to hold on. Prior to this afternoon's contest, Chestnut Hill College recognized senior guard Julian McFadden (Philadelphia, PA) and graduate forward Larz Jeter (Philadelphia, PA) in their final home game.

Chestnut Hill College (11-15, 7-10) went cold in the second half, 8-of-29 (27.6%), and the four-point halftime advantage quickly disappeared. Wilmington University (9-17, 6-10) took the advantage for the first time with 12:01 remaining; they held the lead for the next five minutes (6:56) when freshman guard Francis Ashe (Greenbelt, MD) made a slashing layup to put the home team back on top, 44-42. Sophomore guard Ryan Cook (Laurel, MD) made two free throws and drained a three pointer net the Griffins a five-point lead, 49-44, with 4:37 left, but senior guard Blake Rubenstein (Ambler, Pa.) answered for the Wildcats guiding them back to a two-point lead, 53-51, with 1:53 on the clock. A jumper from Jeter, a free throw from Ashe and a huge block from sophomore forward Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) changed it to a two-point all but sealed it, 55-53, but a last-second drive by sophomore forward Brandon Savage (Philadelphia, Pa.) resulted in a three-point-play and a Griffin loss, 56-55.

Rubenstein came off the bench to lead the Wildcats' second-half rally. He finished with a game-high 15 points after hitting 5-of-6 (83.3%) from the floor in the closing period. Three other Wildcats reached double figures. Savage and senior guard Vernon Dupree (Wilmington, Del.) each scored 12 points, while freshman guard Isiah Mason (Philadelphia, Pa.) added 11 points. Senior guard Mike Shipman (Bronx, N.Y.) provided five assists for the Wildcat offense, while senior center Allen Hairston (Plainfield, N.J.) was a defensive presence in the post with eight rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.

Cook finished as the Griffins leading scorer with 13 points. He recorded three steals as well to help Comas command the Griffins on the defensive end. Comas made three blocks and led Griffins' efforts from the charity stripe (6-of-8, 75.0%); as Chestnut Hill College held a 19-3 advantage in second-half free throw opportunities. Comas also recorded eight points and 12 rebounds. Ashe provided 12 points, five rebounds, and a steal, while Jeter totaled 11 points and a steal. Junior forward Trenton Davidheiser (Pottstown, PA) played well off the bench with six points and nine rebounds.

Chestnut Hill College acknowledged McFadden and Jeter in a brief ceremony preceding tip-off. As part of Senior Day activities, the Griffins reflected on the accomplishments of their co-captains. McFadden is the third, 1,000-point scorer in program history (1,115 points) and Jeter is a two-year captain who ranks fourth in scoring this season (331 points, 12.7/game).

The men's basketball team awaits a host for the opening round of the CACC Championship Tournament. The Griffins currently hold the third seed in the CACC South Division and will play next on Monday, March 1.

WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY 56, CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE 55

WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY (9-17, 6-10 CACC)
RUBENSTEIN, Blake 6-7 0-2 15; DUPREE, Vernon 4-13 3-4 12; SAVAGE, Brandon 4-6 4-5 12; MASON, Isiah 4-6 0-0 11; HAIRSTON, Allen 2-4 0-0 4; GOMES, Marcus 1-4 0-0 2; SHERROD, Antonio 0-6 0-0 0; MYERS, Mike 0-3 0-0 0; SHIPMAN, Mike 0-3 0-3 0. Totals 21-52 7-14 56.

CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE (11-15, 7-10 CACC)
COOK, Ryan 5-13 2-2 13; ASHE, Francis 4-4 4-7 12; JETER, Larz 5-13 1-1 11; COMAS, Dan 1-5 6-8 8; DAVIDHEISER, Trenton 3-8 0-0 6; McFADDEN, Julian 0-7 2-2 2; PERRY, Mike Jr. 1-3 0-0 2; RIVERS, Andre 0-0 1-2 1; HANDY, R.J. 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-53 16-22 55.

Points by Half                          1          2        F
Wilmington University          21        35     56
Chestnut Hill College          25        30     55

3-point goals--Wilmington University (M) 7-13 (MASON, Isiah 3-3; RUBENSTEIN, Blake 3-4; DUPREE, Vernon 1-4; GOMES, Marcus 0-2), Chestnut Hill College 1-12 (COOK, Ryan 1-4; JETER, Larz 0-3; McFADDEN, Julian 0-4; PERRY, Mike Jr. 0-1). Fouled out--Wilmington University (M)-None, Chestnut Hill College-None. Rebounds--Wilmington University (M) 37 (HAIRSTON, Allen 8), Chestnut Hill College 34 (COMAS, Dan 12). Assists--Wilmington University (M) 12 (SHIPMAN, Mike 5), Chestnut Hill College 4 (McFADDEN, Julian 2). Total fouls--Wilmington University (M) 19, Chestnut Hill College 15. Technical fouls--Wilmington University (M)-None, Chestnut Hill College-None. A-206