Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (12/10/2016) – In their first game of the Winter Break, the Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team took the court against intra-city Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) rival, Philadelphia University. The Griffins battled hard, but a blistering 52.6% (30-of-57) shooting performance from the field permitted the Rams to run away with a 90-51 victory.
Philadelphia University (7-3, 4-4) opened the game on an 11-2 run, capped by a three pointer from sophomore guard Jordan DeCicco (Kingston, N.Y.) just three minutes (16:56) into the game. But, Chestnut Hill College (4-5, 1-2) answered right back, returning the spread to six points, 11-5, with junior forward
Chris Evans (Norristown, Pa.) drilling a three off a feed from classmate
Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.) at 16:36. Unfortunately, that would be the closest the Griffins would get as the hot-shooting of the Rams ballooned their lead to 24 points, 29-5, midway (10:55) through the first half. The Rams continued their offensive onslaught through intermission, including a half-court three pointer that beat the halftime buzzer and sent the visitors to the locker room up 45-19. Philadelphia University shot 48.4% (15-of-31) from the field in the first half while holding the Scarlet and Gold to 27.3% (6-of-22) shooting; they also held a 21-12 rebounding edge.
In the second half, the Rams continued to apply pressure. A DeCicco layup gave them a 32 point, 72-40, lead with 9:09 remaining in the contest and from there they expanded their advantage to as many as 41 points, 84-43, with 4:40 remaining in the game. Philadelphia University continued their hot shooting, offering a 57.7% (15-of-26) clip from the field and a 54.5% (6-of-11) mark from downtown. Though struggling from the floor (28.1%, 9-of-32), the Griffins excelled at the charity stripe, knocking down 12-of-14 (.857) opportunities.
Philadelphia University had a trio of scorers in double figures, led by DiCicco's 30 points, five assists and three rebounds. Randolph narrowly missed a double-double, scoring 22 points, and hauling in eight rebounds, while also posting four assists and two steals. Senior guard Andre Gibbs (Smyrna, Del.) was the final Ram in double figures, scoring 15 points in the victory.
Chestnut Hill College was led offensively by sophomore
Bryant Quill (Pottstown, Pa.), who scored 14 points while going a perfect 6-for-6 (1.000) from the free throw line. Evans recorded seven points and five rebounds, while Isaac scored five points and dished out three assists.
The Griffins will return to action on Monday, December 12, when they host non-conference foe Shepard University at Sorgenti Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
