Box Score Brookville, N.Y. – (11/22/2014) – Chestnut Hill College came to the Long Island (LIU) Post University Thanksgiving Classic looking to rebound from a tight, season-opening loss at The Lincoln University, but after leading the hosting Pioneers until the final 21 seconds, the Griffins gave way in a dramatic 56-55 final. After controlling the first half behind a strong perimeter defense and the early play of senior forward Filip Sekulic (Danilovgrad, Montenegro), 26-17, the Griffins suffered another last-second loss thanks the Pioneers 55.6% (15-of-27) second-half shooting performance and a 39-29 point swing.

In the second half, Chestnut Hill College's (0-2) nine-point halftime lead was quickly extended to 12 points, 32-20, on two Sekulic layups and a pair of free throws from junior guard Luke Dickson (Pitman, N.J.). But the comfort was short-lived with LIU Post University (2-2), cutting the deficit to five points, 32-27, only two minutes later (15:32). A Griffin timeout settled the slide and refocused the offense through sophomore guard Billy Cassidy (Primos, Pa.), who caught fire in an 11-point furry that reestablished the spread at 13 points, 52-39 (9:28). Regrettably, Cassidy's hot hand eventually cooled off, allowing the Pioneers to reverse fortunes with a closing 17-3 run.

The Griffin defense suffocated the Pioneers in the first half, holding the home team to a 24.1% (7-of-29) shooting performance in the initial frame. But gradually, the Griffin advantage crumbled as a trio comprised of senior guard P.J. Torres (New Rochelle, N.Y.), junior guard Akosa Maduegbunam (Hyde Park, Mass.), and sophomore forward Greg Dotson (Abington, Pa.) led the Pioneers on a concluding crusade that earned the home team their second win of the season. Maduegbunam led the Pioneers with 14 points and four rebounds, while Torres and Dotson each finished with 13 points. Torres added six rebounds, six assists, and three steals to his point production while Dotson also contributed five rebounds, an assist, and an a steal

The Griffins also offered three double-digit scorers with a career-high, 19 points from Cassidy leading all participants. He finished 5-of-12 (41.7%) from long range with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Sekulic totaled 14 points in addition to seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while Dickson recorded 13 points in excess of his two assists and two steals. Defensively, junior forward Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.) captained the effort with four blocks and two steals.

The men's basketball team continues play in the LIU Post University Thanksgiving Classic tomorrow, Sunday, November 23, when they face Molloy College in a 1:00 p.m. contest.