Box Score Philadelphia, PA – (1/3/2012) – A suffocating defensive effort changed the direction of this evening's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest, but did not alter the outcome as the Griffins endured the University of the Sciences to a 64-58 victory. The Griffin controlled a 34-21 halftime advantage thanks to a multifaceted attack and a 52.0% (13-of-25) team shooting performance, but the resilient Devils closed the margin to two, 52-50 (7:48) only to fall victim to a determined Griffin effort and the unforgiving game clock.
 
The University of the Sciences (1-9, 0-4) delivered a crucial blow at the start of the second half, using a stout display of defensive determination to cut the Griffins 13-point halftime lead, 34-21, to a marginal four-point deficit, 37-33 (15:30), in the period's first five minutes (15:30). Led by the Messinger brothers, senior forward Myer Messinger (Trucksville, PA) and junior forward Henry Messinger (Trucksville, PA), and freshman forward Garret Kerr (Moorestown, NJ) the Devils turned away shot after shot to defended their way back into the contest. Headlined by senior forward Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA), the Griffins briefly reestablished their advantage with a 10-4 run, 47-37 (13:11), but this time the Devils responded with outside shooting; sophomore guard Tyrone Mann-Barnes (Woodlyne, NJ) hitting first from three-point range and junior guard Alec McClure (Blue Bell, PA) following to leave the Griffins with a four-point edge, 47-43 (12:12). A Myer Messinger three-pointer cut the Griffin lead to two, 52-50, as the game passed the eight minute mark (7:48), but the home team would never abandon the lead as a Comas dunk and all the necessary free throws were enough to hold the Devils at bay, 64-58.
 
Six Devils saw the court, Myer Messinger led the four that reached double figures with a game-high 17 points, but it was Kerr who anchored the USciences with 11 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. He recorded nine points and eight rebounds in the first half. Henry Messinger finished with 14 points and eight rebounds to go with a block and a steal, while Mann-Barnes offered ten points, four rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal from the point.
 
Junior guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ) was a consistent contributor and he led the Griffins with 15 points. He hit 3-of-4 (75.5%) from three-point range in a 5-of-8 (62.5%) shooting performance, converted both of his free throws (2-of-2, 100.0%), in addition to recording two assists, a block, and a steal. Comas finished with 13 points, five rebounds, a block, and two steals. Off the bench, sophomore guard Jakeem Bogans (Philadelphia, PA) and freshman guard Torrell Candelaria (Philadelphia, PA) were key players. Bogans offered 11 points, five assists, and two steals, while Candelaria provided nine points and seven rebounds.  
 
The men's basketball team continues their CACC schedule with a 3:00 p.m. contest at Concordia College (NY) on Saturday, January 7.