New Haven, Conn. – (2/25/2016) – After the Griffins' thrilling conclusion to the 2015-2016 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) regular season and a fourth place finish in the South Division, Chestnut Hill College returns to the league's Championship Tournament to challenge #1N Bloomfield College (14-12, 13-6) in an Opening Round contest on Saturday, February 27 (4:30 p.m.). Announced late Tuesday evening by CACC Commissioner Dan Mara, Holy Family University, with a 17-2 conference standing, will serve as the top seed in the CACC South; meanwhile, a 13-6 league record has placed Bloomfield College as the #1 seed in the CACC North.
With all the Opening Round games taking place on Saturday February 27, the higher seed will host the contests at their respective sites. In addition to Chestnut Hill College's (13-14, 10-9) matchup at #1N Bloomfield College, #1S Holy Family University (23-5, 17-2) will host #4N Dominican College (N.Y.) (10-18, 9-10) while the defending CACC Champions, #2S Philadelphia University (21-7, 14-5), welcomes #3N Concordia College (N.Y.) (13-15, 10-9) to the Gallagher Center. The fourth CACC Opening Round contest places #3S University of Sciences (USciences) (16-11, 12-7) at #2N Post University (14-12, 10-9).
The winners will advance to the championship site at Dominican College, for the CACC Semifinals (5:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.), on Friday, March 4, and the CACC Championship, which is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, March 5. The eventual winner of the CACC crown will automatically clinch a spot in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II (DII) Championship Tournament with East Regional play beginning on Friday, March 11.
In their lone regular-season meeting with the Bears, on Friday, January 22, the Griffins found themselves behind a 22-point deficit (63-41, 11:25) in the second half, but a spirited rally left them just two points shy in an 82-80 decision. Senior guard
Luke Dickson (Pittman, N.J.) scored his 1,000
th collegiate career point on a three-point basket at 6:15 (26-11, Bears) in the first half and finished with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Sophomore forward
Edward McWade (Wildwood, N.J.) matched his career-high with 21 points while collecting three rebounds and two assists, and freshman forward
Dakpe Yiljep (Samaru-Zaria, Nigeria) was the third Griffin in double digits with 11 points.
After losing to Bloomfield College, the Scarlet and Gold embarked on a 6-3 run through the remainder of their 2015-2016 CACC contests. Finding their stride at the most important time of the season, Chestnut Hill College clinched their playoff berth with an unforgettable 73-72 overtime victory over the USciences on Saturday, February 20, before concluding their regular season with a second straight CACC victory over a South Division rival as they triumphed, 74-70, over Philadelphia University in Tuesday, February 23's season finale.
2016 CACC MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT Saturday, February 27 (Opening Round/Quarterfinals)#4S Chestnut Hill College at #1N Bloomfield College (4:30 p.m.) | Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio#3N Concordia College (NY) at #2S Philadelphia University (4:30 p.m.)
#4N Dominican College at #1S Holy Family University (4:30 p.m.)
#3S USciences at #2N Post University (2:00 p.m.)
Friday, March 4 (Semifinals @ Dominican College)Bloomfield/CHC Winner vs. PhilaU/Concordia Winner (5:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.)
HFU/Dominican Winner vs. Post/USciences Winner (5:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.)
(Highest remaining seed will play in the 5:00 p.m. game) Saturday, March 5 (Championship @ Dominican College)Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner (7:00 p.m.)
