Nyack, NY – (1/29/2011) – The Chestnut Hill College defense was demoralizing in this afternoon's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) affair, forcing 24 turnovers in a 69-54 victory at Nyack College. After mounting an early advantage, relentless defensive intensity carried the Griffins to their fifth win in their last six contests. Junior center Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) led all players with 16 points and eight rebounds.
The Chestnut Hill College (7-10, 4-5) advantage was nine just five minutes (14:46) into the contest, 11-2, forcing the Warriors to play from behind. Nyack College (2-16, 0-10) did all they could just to keep pace as the Griffins endured to a ten-point halftime lead, 38-28. Comas and sophomore guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ) powered the Griffin offense while sophomore guards Jakeem Bogans (Philadelphia, PA) and Francis Ashe (Greenbelt, MD) came off the bench to inspire the defense to eight steals. Two more thefts opened the second half to land the Griffins three straight possessions and a 15-point lead, 43-28, with 18:18 still remaining. From that point on the Griffins had an answer for every Warrior rally as they closed the affair on a 69-54 final.
Junior forward Lafayette Curtis (Staten Island, NY) led the Warrior effort with 11 points and eight rebounds. He was supported by a pair of guards, junior Louis Allen (Southampton, England) and freshman Ryan Woodward, who combined for 22 points. Sophomore guard Jamaur Jackson (Indian Head, MD) recorded five assists.
Another steady performance from Comas anchored the victory. He was 6-of-9 (66.7%) from the floor and 4-of-4 (100.0%) at the line while adding a block and a steal to the defensive effort. Junior guard Brandon Williams (Philadelphia, PA) contributed 14 points, three assists, a block, and a steal. DiRugeris finished with 12 points and Ashe totaled six assists.
The men's basketball team continues their CACC schedule with an 8:00 p.m. home contest against the University of the Sciences on Tuesday, February 1.
