Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. – (1/26/2016) – Solid defense and variety of teamwork allowed Chestnut Hill College to take control of tonight's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest against Goldey-Beacom College. The trio of senior guard Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.), sophomore forward Edward McWade (Wildwood, N.J.), and senior guard Luke Dickson (Pittman, N.J) inspired the Griffins for an efficient performance that buried the Lightning behind a 41-32 halftime spread and an eventual 76-62 league victory.
 
Chestnut Hill College (8-11, 5-6) controlled the momentum from the get-go with fast-paced transitions propelling the Scarlet and Gold to a double-digit advantage in the closing minutes of the first half, 35-24 (4:19). The consistent paint play of Elijah Tillman (Garnerville, N.Y.) was the only thing keeping Goldey-Beacom College (7-13, 5-6) in the game as junior center recorded 12 first-half points thanks to eight rebounds; seven of them coming on the offensive end. Regardless, the Griffins eventually expanded their lead to 11 points, 35-24, on a breakaway dunk by freshman forward Antonio Toplyn Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J.) with 4:19 remaining. Still, in that time the deficit shrunk to single digits as freshman guard Cory Taite (Sayreville, N.J.) joined Tillman on the Lightning's rally, drawing some late first-half free throws to bring the spread to nine points, 41-32, at intermission.
 
Unfazed, the Griffins continued to run the Lightning up and down the court in the second half, increasing their advantage to as many as 17 points, 63-46, just before the eight-minute mark (8:11). From there, the CACC foes traded baskets as a McWade three-pointer landed the Griffins an 18-point, 71-53, lead with 3:47 remaining and a pair of fleeting layups from junior guard Shakeem Wilson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) cut the final spread to 14 points, 76-62.   
 
Tillman finished with a double-double, 15 points and 11 rebounds. He collected 10 of his rebounds on the offensive end, leading the Lightning to a 39-35 advantage on the glass. Wilson scored 16 points, eight rebounds, and a steal, while junior guard Sameen Swint (Sicklerville, N.J.) finished with 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Sophomore forward Daniel Cooper (Miami, Fla.) totaled eight points, 10 rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal.
 
For the Griffins, Hightower collected his first double-double of the season (12 points and 10 rebounds) to which he added four assists and two blocks. Along with five boards, an assist, and two blocks, the hot-shooting McWade connected on 5-of-8 (.625) from beyond the arc for a game-high 19 points. Dickson contributed an all-around game with 14 points, three boards, five assists, and a steal. Toplyn provided depth off the bench with 12 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
 
The Griffins continue their CACC schedule at Felician University on Saturday, January 30, with a 3:00 p.m. contest.