Philadelphia, PA – (3/1/2010) – Chestnut Hill College kept Philadelphia University's all-conference seniors to a combined 25 points, but the Rams made efficient use of other weapons to defeat the Griffins 74-64 in this evening's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Quarterfinal contest. In the second half, sophomore guard Ryan Cook (Laurel, MD) attempted several acrobatic maneuvers in effort to will the Griffins from behind, but time ran thin as the Rams advanced to this weekend's semifinal competition at Caldwell College.
With their back against the wall, Chestnut Hill College (11-16, 7-10) made a final push at the Rams' 15-point advantage. Philadelphia University's (25-6, 16-1) held their biggest lead, 57-42, with 6:39 remaining in the contest, when Cook looked to spark a Griffin run. Back-to-back, three-point plays for Cook and freshman guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, N.J.) eventually cut the deficit to seven, 57-50, and gave the Griffins a chance with 3:44 still to play. Freshman guard Jim Connolly (Harleysville, Pa.) instantly made things more difficult with an answering three-point basket. From that point to the final horn the Rams made all necessary free throws to close the contest with a ten-point victory.
Scoring a team-high 22 points in the contest, Connolly was the unexpected hero for Philadelphia University. He got started early; helping senior forward Malcolm Ingram (Philadelphia, Pa.) lead the Rams to a 37-30 halftime lead. Ingram scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Connolly was dangerous late as well teaming up with sophomore forward J.J. Gundry (McAdoo, Pa.) to seal the win. Gundry came off the bench for 17 points, five rebounds, and three second-half blocks which stifled the Griffins' offense. Senior guard Russell Frederick (Baltimore, Md.) was limited to nine points, but he helped Gundry on the defensive end with three blocks and two steals. Senior guard Marcus Lemon (Alexandria, Va.) filled in for Frederick at the point with 11 assists.
Cook was 5-of-11 (45.5%) from the floor in the second half. He hit two, three-point baskets and made 5-of-6 (83.3%) at the line, but it was not enough to rally the Griffins. He also had a block and a steal. Sophomore forward Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) was a leading force throughout for the Griffins providing 19 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. He was 7-of-14 (50.0%) from the field and 5-of-6 (83.3%) at the line. DiRugeris Jr. finished with ten points and five rebounds, while freshman guard Francis Ashe (Greenbelt, MD) made four assists from the point. Chestnut Hill College finishes the season 11-16 overall and 7-10 in the CACC.
PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY 74, CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE 64
CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE (11-16, 7-10 CACC)
COOK, Ryan 7-17 5-6 22; COMAS, Dan 7-14 5-6 19; DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 3-9 3-3 10; ASHE, Francis 2-6 1-2 5; JETER, Larz 2-10 0-0 4; RIVERS, Andre 1-1 0-0 2; McFADDEN, Julian 0-1 2-2 2; DAVIDHEISER, Trenton 0-2 0-0 0; OLUWOLE, Christopher 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-60 16-19 64.
PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY (25-6, 16-1 CACC)
CONNOLLY, Jim 7-13 5-5 22; GUNDRY, J.J. 8-11 1-2 17; INGRAM, Malcolm 6-9 4-5 16; FREDERICK, Russell 2-10 4-4 9; LEMON, Marcus 2-5 2-2 7; YOCUM, Mike 1-5 1-2 3; MCFADDEN, Ishmawiyl 0-0 0-0 0; DiRUGERIS, Ed 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-53 17-20 74.
Points by Half 1 2 F
Chestnut Hill College 30 34 64
Philadelphia University 37 37 74
3-point goals--Chestnut Hill College 4-14 (COOK, Ryan 3-7; DiRUGERIS, Mark Jr. 1-4; JETER, Larz 0-2; COMAS, Dan 0-1), Philadelphia Univers 5-18 (CONNOLLY, Jim 3-8; LEMON, Marcus 1-3; FREDERICK, Russell 1-7). Fouled out--Chestnut Hill College-None, Philadelphia Univers-None. Rebounds--Chestnut Hill College 32 (COMAS, Dan 7), Philadelphia Univers 35 (INGRAM, Malcolm 7). Assists--Chestnut Hill College 6 (ASHE, Francis 4), Philadelphia Univers 17 (LEMON, Marcus 11). Total fouls--Chestnut Hill College 18, Philadelphia Univers 17. Technical fouls--Chestnut Hill College-None, Philadelphia Univers-None
