Box Score Rutherford, N.J. - (1/30/2016) – Suffering their third Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) loss by three points or less, Chestnut Hill Colleges fell three points shy of Felician University in this afternoon's league contest, 65-62. Sophomore guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.) was the Griffins top performer with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, but his effort proved futile as the Golden Falcons hit 11-of-23 (.478) from long range to overcome the Scarlet and Gold's advantages on the glass (36-26) and at free throw line (18-of-24/6-of-9).
 
Junior guard C.J. Mwila (Livonia, Mich.) kept Felician University (7-13, 4-9) a step ahead of Chestnut Hill College (8-12, 5-7) as the home team led by three points at halftime, 38-35, and at the end of an affair, 65-62, that featured five ties, but only four lead changes. The contest opened with three consecutive three pointers, but the Griffins were slightly less efficient (50.0%-44.4%), slowly losing ground to trail by eight points, 20-12, midway through the first half (11:05). Isaac was determined to keep the Griffins within striking distance, however, forcing his way to the free throw line four times in a 21-13 run that evened the score at 33-33 with 3:26 remaining in the period. Missed opportunities gave the Golden Falcons the chances they needed to steal a 38-35 halftime edge.
 
Freshman forward Dakpe Yiljep (Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria) tied the contest just five minutes (15:10) into the closing half, 40-40, but just five minutes later the Golden Falcons revived their initial principal behind Mwila's guiding effort. He hit a jumper, a three pointer, provided a steal, an assist, and a rebound, before scoring a layup to put the home team up 11 points, 52-41, midway through the closing frame (10:57). Oddly enough, the Griffins worked their way back into the contest at the free throw line. Taking the ball into the teeth of the Golden Falcon defense, freshman forward Antonio Toplyn Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J.), Isaac, and freshman guard Liban Awl (Manassas, Va.) all saddled up at the charity stripe before threes from Yiljep and Awl gave the Griffins their first lead, 61-60 (1:01), since the opening minutes of the contest. Unfortunately, an untimely foul put the Golden Falcons at the free throw line. They converted, retaking the lead, 62-61, with 27 seconds (0:27) remaining then increasing their lead to three points, 64-61, with just nine seconds (0:09) to go. The Griffins never got the chance to tie as the remainder of the contest's scoring came at the free throw line in a 65-62 Golden Falcon win.
 
Mwila totaled a game-high 22 points while grabbing seven rebounds in addition to five assists and three steals. Sophomore forward Marko Kozul (Astoria, N.Y.) complimented his effort with 19 points, six rebounds, and a steal, while senior forward Jeyvi Miavivululu (Paterson, N.J.) was the third Golden Falcon in double figures with 13 points in addition to two rebounds and three blocks.
 
In his fifth team-leading scoring performance, Isaac was 10-of-11 (.909) at the free throw line to overcome a 3-of-12 (.250) shooting effort. He was joined in double figures by Awl, who came off the Griffin bench for 15 points and six rebounds. Senior forward Noel Hightower (Easton, Pa.) led the Griffins on the glass with eight rebounds in excess of six points and a block.
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team visits Georgian Court University for their next CACC contest; tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3.