Philadelphia, PA – (2/5/2011) – Chestnut Hill College led Felician College at halftime, 25-23, controlled the boards, 39-32, and made 18-of-21 (85.7%) from the free throw line, but poor shooting (32.1%, 18-of-56) and late turnovers allowed the Golden Falcons to claim a 60-56 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) win. Four Griffins finished in double figures, but the balanced performance was not enough collect the victory.
Chestnut Hill College (8-13, 5-7) took it to Felician College (10-11, 6-7) off the opening tip to own a 13-3 advantage with 12:09 remaining in the first half. However, less than four minutes later the lead was gone with senior forward Devon Young (Monmouth Junction, NJ) rallying the Golden Falcons to their first lead at 8:19, 14-13. The contest remained tight for the duration of the first half, but the Griffins would take a two-point lead into halftime on a closing drive from sophomore guard Francis Ashe (Greenbelt, MD). The scenario replayed itself in the second half as the Griffins controlled a 39-28 advantage (14:07), before the Golden Falcons reemerged to steal the lead with a 20-8 run, 48-47 (5:49). Play tensed up once more, but this time Ashe's final shot missed its mark leaving the Golden Falcons to a 60-56 triumph.
Young drove the Golden Flacon effort with 17 points and five assists. Fellow senior forward, Suquan Gary (Paterson, NJ) supported his performance with 16 points and, a team-high, six rebounds.
Junior guard Brandon Williams (Philadelphia, PA) led the Griffins with 14 points while his backcourt partner, sophomore Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ), offered 12 points and three assists. Ashe scored, a season-high, 11 points and junior center Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) was the last Griffins in double figures with ten points; he also grabbed nine rebounds. Freshman forward Khadim Ndiaye (Long Beach, NY) hustled to ten rebounds leading the Griffins on the glass.
The men's basketball team hosts Goldey-Beacom College in their next CACC contest on Wednesday, February 9. Tipp-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
