Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (11/13/2016) – Chestnut Hill College's second challenge of their opening weekend at the Gallagher Center pinned them against the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). The Firebirds stormed out to a 20-10 advantage in the first 6:27 minutes of play. They led the Griffins 56-40 at halftime and pushed the deficit to 20 points, 62-42, less than three minutes (16:18) in the second stanza. Chestnut Hill College did not have the answer for the Firebird offense, allowing UDC to shoot from the field at a .567 (34-of-60) percentage that included 14 three-point baskets on 28 attempts (14-of-28, .500) in a 94-71 victory.
 
Senior guard Joseph Nickerson (Newark, N.J.) was nearly unstoppable in the first half, totaling 20 points by the break after carrying UDC (1-1) to an early 15-4 advantage (16:16). Just before the seven-minute (7:04) mark, Chestnut Hill College (0-2) cut the margin to eight points, 34-26, on a successful and-one opportunity from junior center Christopher Evans (Norristown, Pa.). Unfortunately for the Griffins, Nickerson and the Firebirds kept their hot hand. They hit 11 (11-of-18, .611 3PT%) three-point baskets and shot .594 (19-of-32) from the field to improve their favor to 16 points (56-40) by halftime.
 
After intermission, UDC quickly advanced their lead to 20 points, 62-42, on a pair of free throws from junior guard Traevon Butler (Lakewood, N.J.) at 16:18. The Scarlet and Gold backcourt combination of junior Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.) and graduate J.J. Butler (Bel Air, Md.) tried to lead Chestnut Hill College back, still the Firebirds' favor reached 23 points, 94-71, by the final buzzer.
 
Four of the Firebirds' starters finished in double figures. Nickerson was the leader with 27 points on an 11-of-15 (.733) shooting performance that came with nine rebounds, eight assists, and five steals. Senior guard Kasim Chandler (Newark, N.J.) was his best supporter with 18 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and three steals. Butler was the third with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a block. Senior forward Jayone Troutman (Chicago, Ill.) was the fourth with 12 points, a rebound, an assist, and two steals.
 
For a second straight game the Griffins' leading scorer came off the bench as sophomore forward Jalil Myers (Philadelphia, Pa.) totaled 16 points in addition to grabbing seven rebounds, providing three assists, and making a steal. Butler scored 15 points again, this time he complimented his offensive production with a rebound, three assists, and a steal. Isaac finished with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, November 16, when they host Georgian Court University for an 8:00 p.m. Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) season opener.