Four players scored in double figures as the Chestnut Hill College Men's basketball team survived a late flurry from Millersville University with six points in the final minute of the game to defeat the Marauders 79-74 in the home opener at Sorgenti Arena Saturday afternoon.

The Griffins improved to 2-2 with the win.  Millersville falls to 1-3.

MJ Iraldi led all scorers with 23 points, connecting on ten of 14 shots from the field, including a pair of three-point baskets.  The sophomore forward turned in a solid all-around game, adding six rebounds, seven assists, one block and two steals.  Amir Warrick added 13 points while James Rider IV chipped in 12.  Nigel Haughton rounded out the Griffins double figure scorers with ten points.

The Griffins saw a nine-point lead evaporate in four minutes time following a 12-2 run by the Marauders gave the visitors their first lead of the game, 74-73 with 1:03 remaining.  Following a timeout, Noah Charles but the Griffins back on top 75-74 with a layup with 23 seconds left.  Millersville then turned the ball over with Iraldi getting the steal and shortly thereafter Haughton producing another layup to put the Griffins up 77-74.  MU's Ryan Davis missed a jump shot as the clock was winding down and Haughton tacked on two more free throws with 0.3 left to seal the win.

Leading by three at the half, Millersville tied the game 50 seconds into the final period on a Mekhi Hendricks three-point basket.  Chestnut Hill followed with an 8-0 run to take a 52-44 lead with Iraldi scoring six of the eight points.  The Marauders clawed back within one 56-55 following an 11-4 spurt before back-to-back three-point baskets from Iraldi and Charles pushed the lead back to seven at the midway point of the half.  CHC's lead oscillated between six and nine points over the next four-plus minutes with the long ball keeping the game at minimum a two-possession contest when the Marauders began their final push while trailing by nine 71-62 with 5:34 left, setting the table for the final surge from both teams.

The Griffins made just one more field goal than the Marauders and were more efficient in their shooting, making 32 of 56 shots (57.1%) for the game while Millersville made 31 of 72 (43.1%).  The Griffins held a 37-29 rebounding advantage but the Millersville squad outscored Chestnut Hill 12-4 in the second chance points category.  Meanwhile, turnovers played a big factor in the closeness of the contest with the Griffins committing 21 in total while the Marauders had just nine.  Millersville outscored Chestnut Hill 23-10 in the points of turnovers category in the process.  It was the first time since December 1st of last season, a span of 25 games, that the Griffins committed 20 or more turnovers in a single contest.

Drew Stover led the Marauders with 21 points and five rebounds while Justin Nwosu chipped in 19

The Chestnut Hill College Men's Basketball team returns to action on Monday, November 21, 2022, when they host Lock Haven University at Sorgenti Arena.  Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.