Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (12/19/2014) – The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat this afternoon, coming within a whisker of overcoming a nine-point deficit, 68-59, to visiting American International College (AIC) in the final 20 seconds. But after closing to within one and watching the Yellow Jackets misfire on two free throws with five seconds remaining, sophomore guard Billy Cassidy (Primos, Pa.) saw his half-court heave sail just wide as the buzzer sounded on a 68-67 defeat inside Sorgenti Arena.
 
After AIC (8-2) went up by as many as nine, 23-14, midway through the first half, Chestnut Hill College (3-7) clawed back with a closing run, eventually taking a 33-30 edge into intermission. The Griffins found themselves with a five-point advantage three times early in the second half, the last at 39-34 (16:30) on a layup by freshman guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.), and were in front by a 44-41 count after Cassidy connected from long range with 11:21 remaining.
 
Unfortunately, Chestnut Hill College went ice cold from that point on, going exactly seven minutes without a point as the visitors took control with a 15-0 spurt over that span, taking a 56-44 lead with 4:40 left. The Yellow Jackets were still in firm control when junior guard Trahmier Burrell (Albany, N.Y.) scored in transition to make it 68-59 with just 25 ticks showing on the clock. AIC, however, melted down completely after that, turning it over on back-to-back possessions to allow the Griffins to rally. Isaac converted a three-point play, 68-62 (00:20), and went back to the line for a pair after swiping a steal on the ensuing possession. Isaac made the first, 68-63, before missing the second, but rookie forward Edward McWade (Wildwood, N.J.) was there for the put-back, 68-65, with 10 seconds left. AIC lost the ball on its inbounds play, giving Chestnut Hill College a chance to tie with a three-pointer. The Griffins elected to go for an easy two, with senior center Seamus Radtke (Philadelphia, Pa.) scoring inside off the inbounds from senior guard Christian Walck (Lancaster, Pa.), 68-67 (00:07).
 
The Griffins fouled AIC on the ensuing inbounds, sending senior guard Al-Shabazz Jabateh (East Orange, N.J.) to the line for two. Jabateh missed both, and Radtke eventually corralled the loose ball, passing forward to Cassidy for one last-ditch effort. The sophomore's potential game-winner from just beyond midcourt was just off target, glancing off the side of the backboard as the horn sounded on the Griffins valiant comeback.
 
Burrell paced four Yellow Jackets in double figures with 15 points to supplement a double-double, 13 points and 11 rebounds, from junior forward Oscar Assie (Ansonia, Conn.). Jabateh scored all 11 of his points in the second half, while junior guard Cameron Dobbs (Albany, N.Y.) finished with 10 points and four assists. AIC was just 23-of-37 (62.2%) at the line, including 4-of-9 (44.4%) in the final two minutes.
 
Isaac turned in the best game of his collegiate career, leading all scorers with 16 points (5-of-8 FG, 6-of-7 FT) in addition to four rebounds and three steals. Radtke had his best game on the boards, snatching up a season-high eight caroms to complement 12 points. McWade supported fellow rookie Isaac with 13 points, five rebounds, and three steals in a strong effort off the bench. Walck stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists despite shooting just 2-of-13 (15.4%) from the field.
 
Chestnut Hill College takes the next week and a half off before beginning a three-game road swing with its final non-conference contest of the season, a 1:00 p.m. showdown with West Chester University on Tuesday, December 30.