Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. – (2/26/2013) – Chestnut Hill College recovered from a 13-point halftime deficit, 36-23, to threaten Philadelphia University and keep the Gallagher Center in suspense until the final seconds of tonight's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) season finale. Freshman guard Christian Walck (Lancaster, Pa.) matched the Rams' clutch shooting by finding teammate after teammate, but in the end a final three-pointer from senior guard Jim Connolly (Harleysville, Pa.) left the home team with a 74-73 victory.
 
Chestnut Hill College (12-14, 8-9) battled their way to a 58-57 lead with 6:40 remaining in the contest after trailing Philadelphia University (17-9, 12-5) by 13 points at halftime, 36-23. Walck and senior guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, N.J.) fueled the Griffins gradual rise that gained momentum with an active stretch from sophomore forward Alssene Saintilus (Irvington, N.J.) and landed them a seven-point lead, 66-59, a pair of DiRugeris free throws just past the four-minute mark (3:56). The Griffin run was answered by clutch baskets from Connolly and freshman forward Derek Johnson (Conshohocken, Pa.), who put the Rams up two points, 70-68, on a three-point shot with 1:29 left to play. But Walck was just as timely for the Griffins, hitting two free throws and locating sophomore guard Luke Dickson (Pitman, N.J.) for a three-pointer that delivered the Griffins a 73-71 advantage with 0:14 left on the clock. Unfortunately, that was too much time for Connolly who sunk his game-winning shot, 74-73, with four seconds to go (0:04).
 
Connolly's 17 points topped four Rams in doubles figures. He also recorded four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Freshman forward Peter Alexis (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) offered a double-double of 14 points and ten rebounds while headlining the Rams defensive effort with four blocks. Fellow freshman, guard, Andre Gibbs (Smyrna, Del.) totaled 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while sophomore guard Nick Schlitzer (Pottsville, Pa.) was the last Ram in doubles figures, scoring 11 points while also contributing four rebounds, two assists, and two steals off the bench.
 
Walck fueled the Griffins offense with 13 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and a steal. His top benefactor was DiRugeris, who finished as the Griffins leading scorer with 18 points. DiRugeris also recorded four rebounds and two assists. Saintilus finished the affair with 12 points and three rebounds off the Griffin bench, while sophomore center Seamus Radtke (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the Griffins superior rebounding effort, 40-35, with seven boards. He also scored eight points.
 
Closing the 2012-2013 regular season at 12-14 overall and 8-9 in the CACC the Griffins will travel to N#1 Dominican College on Saturday, March 2, for the Opening Round of the CACC Championship Tournament. Tip-off is schedule for 4:30 p.m.