Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (1/16/2018) – Chestnut Hill College broke into the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) win column this evening, warding off Dominican College in the final seconds of a 61-60 final. Headlined by seniors, center Chris Evans (Norristown, Pa.) and guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.), the Griffins owned a 58-49 lead heading to the final five minutes (5:26) of play. There, the Chargers withered the Scarlet and Gold advantage to nothing, 60-60 (0:33), before an Isaac free throw (61-60, 0:08) and a timely block from junior forward Tony Toplyn Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J.) put the exclamation point on the Griffin victory.
 


Chestnut Hill College (2-14, 1-8) paced Dominican College (12-5, 6-2) to a narrow 34-32 halftime advantage. The deficit escalated to nine points, 13-4 (15:46), quickly as Isaac and Evans took turns capitalizing on the Chargers early shooting issues. Unfortunately, the visitor's eventually found their mark, using a 10-0 run to grab their first lead, 14-13, at 11:26. Favor wavered for the remainder of the period with the Griffins separating by as many as five points, 27-22 (5:43), the Chargers by as many as three points, 32-29 (2:10), and the teams tying five times, before an Isaac jumper nudged the Scarlet and Gold ahead, 34-32 (0:01) for intermission.
 
After an opening three-point play from Toplyn, 37-32 (19:46), Chestnut Hill College again paced Dominican College in the second half. The affair tied briefly at 13:48, 43-43, but quickly returned to the Griffins' favor, 46-43, on a three point basket from freshman guard Rich Dean Jr. (Bensalem, Pa.) just a minute later (12:53). From there, Isaac directed the Scarlet and Gold offense, eventually locating Evans and junior guard Cartier Talford (Reading, Pa.) to expand the Griffin lead to nine points, 58-49, heading to the final five minutes (5:26) of play. But, the Chargers had their run to, knotting the contest at 60-60 with just 33 seconds (0:33) remaining on a layup from Sayson Charles (New York, N.Y.). Fortunately, he failed to complete the and-one opportunity, allowing Isaac to set up the Chestnut Hill College offense and draw a foul on his final drive. He would hit the back end of the trip to the charity stipe to afford the Scarlet and Gold a 61-60 edge with just seconds (0:08) remaining. Toplyn took care of the rest, denying the Chargers' fleeting attempt at victory.

Sophomore guard Daniel Grant (Middletown, Del.) led Dominican College with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Daraja Rodwell (Baldwin, N.Y.) was his top supporter with 11 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
 
Evans led Chestnut Hill College with a season-high 23 points, hitting three, three point baskets (3-of-4, .750) in a 9-of-12 (.750) shooting performance that was accompanied by a pair of free throws (2-of-2, 1.000), six rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Isaac finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists, while Toplyn totaled nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists in addition to his heroic rejection.
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team continues their CACC schedule on Saturday, January 20, when they visit Bloomfield College for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff.