Philadelphia, Pa. – (2/27/2019) – Battling for the full 40 minutes, Chestnut Hill College gave Jefferson all they could handle in tonight's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest. The Griffins paced the Rams for a majority of the first half and controlled a 46-43 halftime thanks to 20 points from freshman guard Trevonn Pitts (Wyncote, Pa.). But at the end of a highly-competitive second half, Jefferson stole the advantage, enduring the Scarlet and Gold in an 86-81 end. Four Griffins finished in double figures, including Pitts who totaled a season-high 23 points in excess of four rebounds, three assists, and a block.
 
Senior guard Liban Awl (Manassas, Va.) led off the contest with a long range bucket (3-0, 19:45) and just three minutes later, the second of back-to-back three point baskets from Pitts gave Chestnut Hill College (3-24, 0-18) their largest lead over Jefferson (20-7, 15-3), 13-4 (16:50). The Rams recovered with a 10-0 run that afforded them a narrow 14-13 with 14:32 remaining in the opening period. From there, the lead changed hands nine times and tied five times before settling with the Griffins clinging to a 46-43 advantage.
 
In the second half, the Rams whittled the Chestnut Hill College lead to a single point, 48-46, on a fastbreak with 18:50 remaining. Soon after a three pointer from Kylan Guerra (White Plains, N.Y.) gave Jefferson the advantage, 50-48 (18:14), which they managed to hold until a layup from senior forward Ed McWade (Wildwood, N.J.) returned the lead back to the Griffins' favor, 73-72, with 6:47 left to play. On Chestnut Hill College's next possession, an Awl three pointer extended the Griffin lead to four points, 76-72 (5:57), but over the final six minutes Jefferson capitalized on a series of Scarlet and Gold misses to rally for a 86-81 victory.
 
Junior forward DeVaughn Mallory (Smyrna, Del.) led five Rams in double figures with his 24-point, 14-rebound, double-double. He also recorded three assists and two blocks. Fellow junior forward Josh Brandanese (Billerica, Mass.) chipped in 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals, while Guerra and freshman guard Deondre Bourne (Brooklyn, N.Y.) provided 15 points apiece. Guerra also recorded five rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Sophomore guard Alexander Gorton (Jonesboro, Ark.) as the fifth double digit scorer with 10 points off the Jefferson bench.

Pitts was 9-of-14 (.643) from the floor, including a perfect 5-of-5 (1.000) from three point territory. McWade recorded 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Awl offered a dozen (12) points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Off the bench, freshman forward Keyon Butler (Chester, Pa.) was Chestnut Hill College's fourth double digit scorer. He totaled 15 points in excess of four rebounds and a steal.
 
Chestnut Hill College concludes their 2018-2019 season on Saturday, March 2, when they visit the University of the Sciences (USciences) for a 3:00 p.m. CACC contest.