Box Score Orangeburg, N.Y. – (2/4/2017) – Chestnut Hill College was running on all cylinders at the start of this afternoon's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest at Dominican College, rushing out to a 13-0 advantage in the opening five minutes (15:16) of the affair. Unfortunately, the Chargers tracked the Griffins down before the eight minute mark, taking the lead, 19-18, for the first and last time with 8:44 remaining in the first half of a 77-72 final. Junior center Chris Evans (Philadelphia, Pa.) led four Griffins in double figures with 18 points in surplus of his three rebounds and a steal.
 
Evans scored the first five points of the affair, knocking down the first of his two, three point baskets (2-of-2, 1.000) at 19:13 (3-0) and putting back a rebound at the 18-minute (18:00) mark, 5-0. The Chestnut Hill College (4-17, 1-13) lead expanded to 13 points, 13-0, over the next three minutes (15:16) with pair of a three point baskets from sophomore guard Liban Awl (Manassas, Va.) bookending two successful free throws from sophomore guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.). But the fortuitous beginning disintegrated as quickly as it came with Dominican College (14-9, 9-5) overcoming the Griffins, 19-18, just past the nine-minute (8:44) mark, increasing their advantage to double digits, 31-21, four minutes (4:33) later, and taking a 39-25 lead into the locker rooms.
 
After intermission, the Chargers quickly grew their position to 18 points, 43-25 (18:26). It remained there as late as 5:16 (70-52), long enough to withstand a late Chestnut Hill College rally. The resistance was led by Awl, Issac, Evans, and sophomore forward Bryant Quill (Pottstown, Pa.), who hit a three point basket that cut the Dominican College lead to six points, 76-70, with 11 seconds (0:11) left to play. Missed Charger free throws allowed Evans to reduce the deficit to four points, 76-72, with his free throws only two seconds later (0:09). Unluckily, the Chargers hit one of their next two shots from the charity stripe to survive the Griffin recovery, 77-72.
 
Dominican College placed five players in double figures with freshman guard Daniel Grant (Middletown, N.Y.) offering a team-high 18 points. He also recorded three rebounds and a steal. Sophomore forward Travis Cook (Middletown, N.Y.) was his second fiddle with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and three steals. Junior forward Gerrel Irvin (Bay Shore, N.Y.) was a factor as well with 14 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a block. Off the Charger bench, freshman guard Jonathan Garcia (Springfield, Mass.) (11 points) and sophomore Sayon Charles (Staten Island, N.Y.) (10 points) combined for 21 points.
 
Evans was efficient in his work, hitting 4-of-5 (.800) from the field and 8-of-10 (.800) from the charity stripe. He was joined in double figures by three others as Awl and Quill both totaled 15 points while Isaac facilitated the Chestnut Hill College offense with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal.
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team continues their CACC schedule on Tuesday, February 7, when they visit Georgian Court University for an 8:00 p.m. tipoff.