Philadelphia, Pa. - (12/18/2019) – Tonight's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest came down to the wire and
sophomore forward
Amir Warrick (Washington, DC) played the role of conqueror for Chestnut Hill College as he knocked down the game-winning three pointer with 1.4 remaining on the clock; 70-67. Holy Family University failed to get a shot off on the following inbound, leaving Sorgenti Arena to resume its jubilation. The victory was the Scarlet and Gold's first in over a year (W, 59-56 vs. Assumption College on December 15, 2018) and first of the CACC variety since a 79-77 win at Wilmington University on February 13, 2018.
Holy Family University (5-7, 2-1) lead off the opening tip (2-0, 19:47) and paced Chestnut Hill College (1-10, 1-2) to a 20-20 stalemate with 8:36 remaining. It was not long after that back-to-back three point baskets from freshmen guards
Scottie Spann Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa.) (25-22, 6:41) and
Ahmad Bickley (Philadelphia, Pa.) (28-22, 6:05) gave the Griffins a six-point advantage with a little more the six minutes in the first half. The lead switched hands twice more before the end of the period, first at 3:42 on a three point basket from freshman forward Daniel Fleming (Haddonfield, N.J.) (30-28) and again with 57 seconds (0:57) remaining when Spann scored a three point basket off the bounce from Bickley.
After intermission, Chestnut Hill College continued to trump the Tigers at every turn. The Griffins posted a 10-point lead, 44-34 (16:10), on the second of two free throws by sophomore forward
Keyon Butler (Chester, Pa.) and remained at the same double-digit perch, 63-53, when junior guard Brendan Hoban (Watertown, Mass.) hit the first of two free throws at 4:11. At that point, Holy family University turned to senior forwards Branden Aughburns (Queens, N.Y.) and Vincenzo Dalessandro (Levittown, Pa.) to bring them back from the extinction. The Tigers' elder statesmen lead their reprise, laying the ground work for a Hoban's game-tying three pointer; 67-67 (0:10). Chestnut Hill College made the most of the time remaining as Bickley crossed half court and dribbled to his left before hitting Warrick at the top of the three point arch. The rest was history as Sorgenti Arena erupted before suppressing their celebration for the Tigers fleeting final heave.
Aughburns led Holy Family University with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. He also recorded four blocks before fouling out of the competition. Hoban and sophomore forward Eric Esposito (Langhorne, Pa.) joined Aughburns in double figures; the former recorded 10 points in excess of four rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while the latter finished the contest with five rebounds, an assist, and a steal in addition to his 12 points.
Sophomore guard
Trevonn Pitts (Wyncote, Pa.) led four Griffins in double figures with 20 points. He also recorded seven rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal. Butler totaled 16 points in addition to recording six rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Warrick finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and an assist. The real workhorse was Spann, who corralled a season-high 14 rebounds – the most for any Griffin since 2015 (14;
Noel Hightower '16 vs. Philadelphia University, February 10) – while scoring 10 points and providing an assist. Bickley totaled nine assists at the point for Chestnut Hill College.
Chestnut Hill College continues their CACC schedule on Saturday, December 21, when they visit the University of the Sciences (USciences) for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off.
