Bloomfield, N.J. - (2/15/2020) – The workmanlike efforts of sophomore forward Keyon Butler (Chester, Pa.) (18 points, 12 rebounds) and freshman guard Scottie Spann Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa.) (17 points, 17 rebounds) resulted in double-doubles for both, but they were not enough to catch Bloomfield College in a 103-96 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) conclusion. The Bears separated for a 15-1 (14:40) lead off the opening tip and remained ahead by double-digits for most of the first half, 47-36, and for a good portion of the second, 75-65 (8:56) before a Scarlet and Gold surge cut the difference to a single point, 81-80, with 5:33 remaining. Unfortunately, the Bears executed down the stretch, recovering for an 11-point lead (95-84) with 1:23 to go and enduring for a seven-point (103-96) league-win.
 
Senior guard Dontay Julius (Linden, N.J.) headlined the opening Bloomfield College (13-12, 9-7) run that gave the Bears an early 15-1 lead over Chestnut Hill College (4-20, 4-11). The Griffins were able to find their footing and compete over the remainder of the first half as the Bears maximized their lead at 20 points, 26-6 (11:11), and let it hover around the double-digit divide before settling at 11 points, 47-36 (0:04), for intermission.
 
In the second half, Bloomfield College endured the Griffins' initial charge and buffered their position to 11 points, 63-52, with 13:39 to play. Freshman guard Ahmad Bickley (Philadelphia, Pa.) and sophomore guard Trevonn Pitts (Wyncote, Pa.) made the difference over the next two minutes and kept Chestnut Hill College within six points, 67-61 (11:22). Later, they capped a 19-14 Scarlet and Gold run that brought the Griffins within a single point, 81-80, with 5:33 left to play. Unfortunately, Julius hit the three pointer (83-80, 4:35) that triggered the Bears for a 22-13 close. Chestnut Hill College pulled within five points twice in the final minute; the first on a Bickley three pointer with 43 seconds to go, (96-91, 0:43), and the second on a Bickley layup with 12 seconds to go (101-96, 0:12).
 
Five Bears finished in double figures; Julius led the sloth with 24 points, four rebounds, six assists, and three steals. His backcourt and classmate, Safee Abdus-Sabur (Newark, N.J.) offered 22 points, two rebounds, seven assists, and a steal. Junior forward Rich Chapman (Newark, N.J.) led Bloomfield College one the glass with a team-high seven rebounds. He also provided 19 bench points for the Bears.

Behind the Butler-Spann double-doubles, Bickley's career-high 23 points was a significant factor in the Scarlet and Gold's successes. He hit four three pointers (4-of-7, .571) in a 9-of-15 (.600) shooting performance that came with a free throw (1-of-1, 1.000), two rebounds, and four assists. Pitts finished with 18 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
 
Chestnut Hill College resumes their CACC schedule on Tuesday, February 18, when they visit Goldey-Beacom College for an 8:00 p.m. contest.