Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (2/10/2018) – Caldwell University joined Chestnut Hill College for today's rough and tumble Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest. The Cougars narrowly paced the Griffins through the disjointed opening 20 minutes, 30-24, and despite the best efforts of senior guard Demetrius Isaac (Philadelphia, Pa.) and the Scarlet and Gold defense, they left Sorgenti Arena with a 72-62 CACC score. Isaac scored 18 of his team-high 22 points in the second half, finding his shot (6-of-8, .750) and making use of all six of his free throws (6-of-6, 1.000) in the process.

 

Both sides had trouble finding a rhythm as they combined for 21 turnovers in the first half. But Caldwell University (12-12, 9-6) offered the better shooting performance (11-of-29, .379) and owned a 24-14 rebounding edge, to maintain a slight lead over Chestnut Hill College (4-18, 3-12) a majority of the way in a 30-24 halftime spread. In the second half, Cougars first extended their lead to double digits, 42-32, at 14:48. It remained there at 8:21 (54-44), before shrinking to five points, 54-49, on the second of two free throws from junior guard Liban Awl (Manassas, Va.) at 6:58 and later on a three point basket from freshman guard Rich Dean Jr. (Bensalem, Pa.), 54-49 (4:46). Unfortunately, the visitor's returned their advantage to nine points, 63-54 (3:23), on a pair for baskets from sophomore forward Eric Johnson-Alford (Clifton, N.J.) and hit the necessary free throws to fend off the Griffins in a 72-62 end.
 
Sophomore forward Ruud Lutterman (Gorinchem, Netherlands) led Caldwell University with 15 points, two rebounds, and an assist. Johnson-Alford finished with 13 points, four rebounds, a block, and a steal, while sophomore guard Vaughn Covington (Sicklerville, N.J.) provided 11 points, four rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Senior guard Derek Dorn (New Rochelle, N.Y.) was a factor as well with eight points, five rebounds, eight assists, and a steal.
 
Isaac added three rebounds, two assists, and a steal to his 7-of-11 (.636) shooting performance and his perfect 8-of-8 (1.000) free throw showing. Senior center Chris Evans (Norristown, Pa.) supported him with 17 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a block. Junior forward Tony Toplyn Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J.) captained the Scarlet and Gold defense with seven rebounds – five defensively - and four blocks. He also scored six points.
 
The Chestnut Hill College men's basketball team continues their CACC schedule on Tuesday, February 13, when they visit Wilmington University for an 8:00 p.m. contest.