Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. – (12/8/2012) – Chestnut Hill College led Post University at the end of a fast and furious first half, 32-30, and at the end of the regulation it was the penetration of senior guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, N.J.) and the hustle of sophomore center Seamus Radtke (Philadelphia, Pa.) that forced overtime, 57-57. That is where senior guard Francis Ashe (Hyattsville, Md.) took over the contest, scoring eight of his career-high, and team-leading, 22 points, in a 70-66 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) triumph.
 
Chestnut Hill College (4-5, 1-2) held a narrow advantage heading to the final seconds of the contest, 56-55 (0:58), but a Griffin turnover gave Post University (8-2, 4-1) a chance at the lead. Senior guard Jake Wilcox (Kent, Wash.) missed the Eagles shot and after an offensive rebound, Radtke dove to the hardwood for a clutch steal and a crucial Griffin possession. On the ensuing play, DiRugeris cut through the Eagle defense to receive a trip to the charity stripe. He hit the second of the two shots to put the Griffins ahead two, 57-55, with 11 seconds to go (0:11). Wilcox redeemed himself by forcing overtime, 57-57 (0:02), but in the extra frame Ashe was the Griffins answer. Ashe was relentless to the lane, earning and converting 6-of-6 free throws and spearheading a 9-0 Griffin run that left the home team up eight, 67-59, with 33 seconds (0:33) to go. The Eagles never gave up, but time ran out with junior guard Zach Krischer (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) scoring the final bucket of a 70-66 Griffin triumph; their second in four overtime contests this season.
 
Krischer led the Eagles with 16 points while also grabbing six rebounds. Juniors, forward Jerry Cummings (Queens, N.Y.) and guard Stephen Perry (Westhampton, N.J.) were the other two Eagles in double figures. Cummings offered 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals, while Perry scored 12 points in addition to his four rebounds and a steal. The Eagles defensive effort was led by senior forward Saunas Jackson (Inland Empire, Calif.) who recorded two blocks, a steal, a team-high eight rebounds, and eight points before fouling out in the final seconds.
 
Ashe was 7-of-11 (63.6%) from the floor and 8-of-10 (80.0%) from the free throw line while also offering four assists, two blocks, and two steals in the his noteworthy performance. DiRugeris was right behind him 21 points, while freshman forward Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.)led the Griffins on the glass with ten rebounds while helping Ashe on the defensive end with two blocks and three steals.
 
The men's basketball team breaks from CACC play to host Mercy College next Saturday, December 15, in a 1:00 p.m. contest.