Philadelphia, PA – (3/1/2011) – Leaving it all on the court, #3 Chestnut Hill College erased a nine-point margin and tied Bloomfield College, 80-80, in the final minute of this evening's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Semifinal contest. Missed free throws gave the Griffins the opportunity for glory, but their attempts fell short leaving the Deacons to an 82-80 victory. With the win, #2 Bloomfield College advances to the CACC Championship Game to challenge #1 Goldey-Beacom College for the league crown.
Freshman forward Khadim Ndiaye (Long Beach, NY) got Chestnut Hill College (12-16, 8-9) rolling and powered the Griffins to a 40-36 halftime lead with 16 first-half points. His efforts were countered by senior guard Gage Daye (Newark, NY), who ignited the Bloomfield College (19-8, 14-3) in the final minutes of the opening period. Daye carried his hot hand into the second half, hitting three from long range and totaling 19 points in the frame. With the support of senior guard Ryan Rodrigues (New Bedford, MA) and junior forward Matt Wafula (Harlem, NY) the Deacons built a 71-62 advantage as the game reached the seven-minute mark (7:11).
The teams then exchanged several blows before the Griffins mounted their final strike in the final five minutes. Five straight Ndiaye points clipped the Deacon lead to one, 75-74, with 3:21 remaining and as the game clock reached the final minute a pair of free throws from junior guard Uros Kovacevic (Kotor, Montenegro) finally brought the score even at 80-80 (0:59). Daye then split a pair free throws to put the Deacons up 81-80 (0:34), before a Griffin timeout. On the ensuing possession Kovacevic looked to advance the Griffins with a three-point attempt, but the rebound was corralled by the defense. Another Deacon free throw made it 82-80, leaving the Griffins season to 12 seconds and one shot. Senior guard Brandon Williams (Philadelphia, PA) would have a glimpse at a fade-away three-pointer, from the top of the arch, but he could not convert.
Daye led all scorers with 26 points and he also grabbed seven rebounds for the Deacons. Rodrigues scored 20 points, with 15 coming from beyond the arch. Wafula contributed 16 points and ten rebounds.
Ndiaye ended his freshman season with an exclamation point. He scored a career-high, 23 points and also grabbed seven rebounds. Kovacevic totaled 18 points, five rebounds, and three assists while Williams supplied 14 points and six assists. Junior center Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) recorded his 11th double-double of the season with ten points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore guards Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ) and Francis Ashe (Greenbelt, MD) led the defense with three steals apiece. Ashe also provided eight points and five assists on offense.
The Griffins season ended in a demonstration of true character and College camaraderie as they crossed the court, at Holy Family University, to salute their faithful fans. The men's basketball team finishes the season 12-15 overall and 8-9 in the CACC; their best finish since joining the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II in 2007.
