Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (11/12/2016) – The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team opened their 2016-2017 season this afternoon at Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) rival, Philadelphia University, where they played the first of two tip-off weekend contests against Franklin Pierce University. The Griffins struggled to find their mark in the first half, trailing 46-27 at halftime before matching the Ravens point-for-point in the second half of a 93-74 final. Sophomore forward Bryant Quill (Pottstown, Pa.) came off the bench for a team-high 20 points on a 5-of-10 (.500) field goal percentage that included three three-point baskets (3-of-7, .429) and was supported by a 7-of-8 (.875) effort at the free throw line, five rebounds, and a steal.
 
The Franklin Pierce University (1-0) surge came just five minutes into the affair as the Ravens turned a slight, 7-6, advantage into a 16-point, 30-14, edge of the with 6:46 remaining in the first half. Chestnut Hill College (0-1) slowed their momentum in the closing stretch, earning their points at the free throw line thanks to the play of Quill, junior guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.), and sophomore forward Dakpe Yiljep (Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria). Still, the Ravens led by 19 points, 46-27, at intermission.
 
After the break, Quill and Isaac received some help from graduate guard J.J. Butler (Bel Air, Md.), who scored ten points and a team-high four field goals (4-of-9, .444) in the closing frame. Unfortunately, it was not enough to overcome the Ravens as they pushed their advantage to 20 points, 51-31, for the first time at 18:21 and the last time at 1:45, 91-71, in a 93-74 victory.
 
Five Ravens finished in double figures, four were starters, and the highest was junior forward Mike McDevitt (Cumberland, Maine), who recorded 14 points in addition to seven rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. Fellow junior forward Asante Sandiford (Boston, Mass.) was also a major contributor with nine points, 11 rebounds, and two assists.
 
Quill's first 20-point performance was complimented by Isaac's 18 points and Butler's 15. Isaac scored 12 of his points at the free throw line, hitting each attempt (12-fo-12, 1.000) he earned in addition to grabbing a pair of rebounds. Meanwhile, Butler provided four rebounds, an assist, and four steals in excess of his offensive production.
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team returns to the Gallagher Center tomorrow, Sunday, November 13, to challenge the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in a 3:00 p.m. contest.