Four players scored in double figures but it wasn't enough as the Chestnut Hill College Men's basketball team was unable to overcome a strong second half shooting effort from Wilmington University as the Wildcats handed the Griffins their second straight loss 82-68 Saturday at Sorgenti Arena in Philadelphia.

The Griffins fall to 12-12 overall and 9-7 in Central Atlantic Collegiate conference (CACC) games.  Wilmington improves to 10-17 overall and 7-10 in league games.

Chestnut Hill holds a slim ½ game lead over Goldey-Beacom as the two teams battle it out for the #2 slot in the CACC South Division and a first round home playoff game.  Wilmington, with the win clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the CACC South Division.

MJ Iraldi (West Deptford, N.J.) led the Griffins with 21 points and 12 rebounds, recording his third double-double of the season.  His 21 points match his career-high while his 12 rebounds establish a new career high for the freshman small forward/guard.    Nigel Haughton (Bel Air, Md.) and Amir Warrick (Washington, D.C.) had 13 points apiece and Conor Regan (Mullica Hill, N.J.) added ten points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

It was the Griffins who had the hot shooting hand in the early part of the first half, making seven of their first 12 shots to take an early three point lead 16-13.  Warrick followed with a layup-and-one, starting a 7-0 run as the Griffins expanded their leads to ten 23-13 midway through the half.  Wilmington then scored seven straight points to close back within three before layups from Regan and Noah Charles (Columbia, Md.) pushed the lead back to seven, 27-20 with 5:51 left in the period.  The Wildcats followed with a 13-2 uprising to take a 33-29 lead with 2:58 left before the Griffins closed within one, scoring four of the final five points in the half to trail 34-33 at halftime.

A Lucas Dunn (Haddon Township, N.J.) three-point basket and a traditional three point play from Iraldi to open the second half, put the Griffins back on top 41-36.  Wilmington battled back with a 12-6 run to retake the lead 48-47 and free throws from Charles and Iraldi gave the lead back to the Griffins 51-48.  Wilmington rallied to tie the game again at 53-53.  The Wildcats exploded with a 15-2 run following the tie, taking a 68-55 lead with 6:29 remaining and the Griffins were never able to close the gap to less than ten points for the remainder of the game.

Both teams took exactly 64 shots apiece with the Wildcats making one more field goal (29-28).  Wilmington's advantage came   beyond the arc and at the free throw line while the Wildcats made five more three-pointers than the Griffins and seven more free throws.  Chestnut Hill held a slim 42-39 rebounding edge.

The Chestnut Hill Men's Basketball team will return to action on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 when they host Georgian Court University in a key CACC South Division clash at Sorgenti arena.  Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m.