Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (11/28/2017) – Playing for the first time in front of the Sorgenti Arena faithful this season, Chestnut Hill College hosted Shippensburg University in this evening's home opener. The Griffins kept the Raiders close early, but the visitors eventually separated by 12 points, 30-18, just before the six minute mark (6:06) of the first half. The deficit reached 17 points, 37-20, by halftime but ended at just 13 points, 80-67, thanks to a superior Scarlet and Gold second half. Senior guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.) and junior forward Tony Toplyn Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J.) headlined the Chestnut Hill College effort with a combined 34 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
 
Isaac and junior guard Cartier Talford (Reading, Pa.) captained the initial Chestnut Hill College (1-5) front, which led Shippensburg University (4-2) by a narrow 12-11 spread at 16:18. The Raiders' balanced offense gradually distanced from the Scarlet and Gold, outscoring the Griffins 26-8 over the remaining first-half clock. Seven of the eight Raiders who played in the first half scored at least a point; senior forward Dustin Sleva (Pittsburgh, Pa.) led the bunch with nine points and added nine boards in a 22-14 Shippensburg University rebounding advantage.
 
After a 29.6% (8-of-27 FG) shooting effort in the first half, Chestnut Hill College looked for better shots in the later frame. And that they did, hitting 17-of-28 (60.0%) from the field in a 47-point second half performance. Unfortunately, they could not slow down the Raiders, who scored 43 points in the period and let the Griffins within 12 points, 46-34 (14:38), just once before the final buzzer sounded on a 80-63, Shippensburg final.
 
Four Raiders finished in double figures, senior guard Justin McCarthur (Harrisburg, Pa.) led the quartet with 18 points. He hit 5-of-10 (.500) from the field, 4-of-8 (.500) from three point range, and 4-of-6 (.667) from the free throw line, while also recording a rebound, four assists, and a steal. Sleva was a major factor as well with 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Senior guard Clay Conner (Mount Airy, Md.) was Shippensburg University's third scorer in double figures with 10 points, while freshman guard Jake Biss (Latrobe, Pa.) came off the bench for 15 points.

Isaac totaled 18 points on a 6-of-14 shooting performance that included two three point baskets (2-of-3, .667) and was accompanied by a 4-of-5 (.800) effort at the free throw line. He also recorded three rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Toplyn finished with 16 points on a 6-of-8 (.750) shooting effort and a 4-of-4 (1.000) free throw performance. He added five rebounds, an assist, and a steal to his scoring. Talford finished with eight points, four assists, and two steal. Junior guard Liban Awl (Manassas, Va.) contributed nine points, eight rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team returns to Sorgenti Arena on Saturday, December 2, when they host Goldey-Beacom College in a 3:00 p.m. Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) opener.