Box Score Philadelphia, PA – (2/21/2012) – With 23 second-half points, junior guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ) woke up Sorgenti Arena and powered Chestnut Hill College to a 78-74 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) triumph over Goldey-Beacom College. The surge landed the Griffins a double-digit lead in the second half, but the Lightning made it close in the end. Prior to tonight's contest, the Chestnut Hill College Athletic Department recognized seniors, forward Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) and guard Brandon Williams (Philadelphia, PA) for their contributions to the men's basketball programs.
 
Chestnut Hill College (18-11 11-6) trailed Goldey-Beacom College (16-10, 13-4) by one at halftime, 27-26, only for DiRugeris to hit his first eight shots of the second half and push the Griffins to an 11-point lead, 53-42, with 12:46 remaining. The Lightning eventually came all the way back to take a two-point lead, 69-67, heading to the final four minutes of play behind double-double efforts from senior forward Tariq Uqdah (Lanham, MD) and freshman guard Marcus Porter (Wilmington, DE), but an advantageous Luke Dickson (Pitman, NJ) immediately put the Griffins back ahead, 71-69, with a swift drive to the lane. Using the momentum to their advantage, the Griffins grew their lead to back to a five-point edge, 74-69, and hit the game-sealing free throws capture a 78-74 win.
 
Uqdah led the Lighting with 19 points, 16 rebounds, a block, and three steals. Porter was a major contributor as well with 15 points and ten points. Two others finished in double-figures; sophomore guard A.J. Picard (Skippack, PA) totaled 13 points and graduate guard Jordan Brooks (Mitchellville, MD) scored 11 points.
 
DiRugeris was 8-of-10 (80.0%), hitting three from long range in an outstanding second-half of play. Comas was the sole contributor to the Griffin offense early and he finished strong as well for 19 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Jakeem Bogans (Philadelphia, PA) contributed 14 points, while Dickson totaled 11 points after a nine-point second half.
 
The men's basketball team will travel to #2N Dominican College for the opening round of the CACC Championship Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25.