Box Score Brookville, N.Y. – (11/23/2014) – Molloy College beat the Griffins out of the gate, 18-8 (13:15) leaving Chestnut Hill College to fight an uphill battle in a 71-66 defeat at Long Island (LIU) Post University Thanksgiving Classic. Senior guard Christian Walck (Lancaster, Pa.) came off the Griffin bench for another double-digit feat, leading the Griffins to a five-point halftime advantage, 39-34, that eventually crumbled under the weight of 18 team turnovers.

Turnovers plagued Chestnut Hill College (0-3) all game long, nullifying the Griffins superior shooting (43.1%-37.9%) and rebounding (35-33) performances and allowing Molloy College (4-1) to upend a 39-34 halftime spread behind quartet of scorers. Yet the Griffins led as late as 9:21, 52-51, in the second half on the continued reinforcement efforts of Walck and sophomore guard Billy Cassidy (Primos, Pa.), who sunk his fourth three-pointer (4-of-7, .571) of the affair to give the Griffins their final advantage. Unfortunately, Matt McLeod (Greenlawn, N.Y.) ignited the Lions seminal charge, providing the hustle and the point production in a winning 20-14 run that included seven points, two rebounds, a block, and two steals from the senior guard.

Sophomore forward Charlie Marquardt (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) finished as the Lions lead man with 19 points, five rebounds, an assist, a block, and two steals. His classmate, guard Jaylen Morris (Amherst, N.Y.) totaled 14 points after providing 11 points in the Lions first half effort. He also recorded three rebounds, a block, and two steals. Junior guard Brandon Williams (Baldwin, N.Y.) was the third Lion in double-digits, offering four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in addition to his 12 points. Their champion, McLeod, registered ten points, eight rebounds, an assist, a block, and six steals.

The Griffins perimeter shooting eventually caught the Lions in the opening half, snaring them a 39-34 advantage on a terminal trifecta from Walck. The Griffins veteran guard led them in scoring for the second time this season with his sum of 16 points coming on a 6-of-10 (.600) shooting effort, two free throws (2-of-2, 1.000), five rebounds, three assists, a block, and two steals. Cassidy was the only other Griffins to reach double-digits as he accumulated 12 points from beyond the arch while additionally providing a rebound, two assists, and a steal. Junior forward Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.) was another significant reserve, contributing seven points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks.

The men's basketball team head back into action on Tuesday, November 25, when they travel to Millersville University for a 7:00 p.m. contest.