Box Score Orangeburg, N.Y. – (1/26/2013) – Chestnut Hill College and Dominican College went blow for blow in the opening period but with the last basket of the first half the Chargers owned a narrow 48-47 halftime advantage. Despite the second-half efforts of freshman guard Christian Walck (Lancaster, Pa.) and senior guard Francis Ashe (Hyattsville, Md.), 27 bench points from sophomore forward Nick Smith (Middletown, N.Y.) helped the Chargers stay one step ahead of the Griffins in a 94-86 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) victory.

The contest tied for the eighth time at 46-46 on a pair of Walck free throws with 44 seconds (0:44) left in the first half. Chestnut Hill College (9-9, 5-4) had kept pace with Dominican College's (16-3, 10-1) 60.0% (18-of-30) first-half shooting effort by hitting 50.0% (17-of-34) of their own field goals. Unfortunately, junior guard Khaleev Ginyard (Brentwood, N.Y.) scored on Chargers final possession of the period for a 48-47 halftime edge. In the second half the Griffins kept the Chargers close, 61-60 (11:31), but by the seven-minute mark (7:04) Smith and senior center Cory Quimby (Otisville, N.Y.) carved out a 13-point, 74-61, edge. Walck anchored a final Griffin strike. He scored 15 second-half points and sunk a trio of free throws that brought the Griffins within five points, 86-81, in final minutes (1:41). Despite his season-high scoring effort, the Chargers managed evade the rally with the necessary game-clinching free throws, 94-86.

Five Chargers finished in double figures, but it was Smith's 27-point reserve effort that led the group. He hit 11-of-19 (57.9%) from the floor and 5-of-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line while also collecting nine rebounds, two assists, and a block. Ginyard was 5-of-6 (83.3%) from three-point range in his 19-point contribution as Quimby and, fellow senior forward, Daniel Woods (Upper Marlboro, Md.) each finished with double-doubles. Quimby recorded 13 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Woods totaled 12 points, ten rebounds, and a block. Senior guard Leon Porter (Laurel, Md.) was the fifth Charger in double digits; he scored 11 points and also grabbed nine rebounds.

Walck added three steals to his team-leading scoring effort. He was matched in points by senior guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, N.J.), who added six rebounds and two steals to his 17-point evening. Ashe contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals while junior guard Jakeem Bogans (Philadelphia, Pa.) offered ten of his 11 points in the first half.

The men's basketball team continues CACC play on February 2, when they host Concordia College (NY) in a 3:00 p.m. contest.