A short-handed Chestnut Hill college men's Basketball team battled area conference rival Goldey-Beacom College Wednesday night in Wilmington, Delaware.  The Griffins plying from behind the entire game, staged a late game comeback that fell just short as the Lightning hung on for a 79-74 win.

The Griffins, who suited up just seven players, lost their second conference game of the season to fall to 1-2 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games.  The Lightning (8-5 overall) improve to 3-0 in league play.

Three players reached double figures to pace the Chestnut Hill offense, led by Donald-James Imo's 24 points.  Kamal Lee added 18 points while Neal Hill chipped in 13.  Hill also grabbed ten rebounds to record his second double-double of the season.  He has scored in double figures in each of the team's last four games.  Hill also led the team with five assists.

Alejandro Redondo Cybak returned to action for his first game since California (Pa.) on December 10, nearly recording a double-double with ten rebounds while scoring eight points.  Lee also narrowly missed a double-double with eight rebounds to go along with his 18 points.

The Lightning led by 14, 69-55 with just 2:15 left in the game when the Griffins began their final run.  A three-ball from Lee triggered a 9-2 run to cut the lead to seven, 71-64 with 47 seconds left.  The Griffins were now forced to foul, and the Lightning took advantage, making all eight free throws that they took in the final 36 seconds, keeping a three-possession lead.  CHC could not cut into the lead until the final five seconds when a three-pointer by Lee pulled the team within six.  Imo closed out the game with a three-point bucket to make the final difference five points, 79-74.

CHC was trailing by ten just six minutes into the second half when the Griffins made their first run, scoring eight straight points to pull within two 46-44 with 10:52 left.  Marshall Baker had five of the eight points with Imo adding the other three with a three-point basket.  The Lightning countered with ten straight points to increase their lead to 56-44.

Four ties highlighted the first half with the Griffins staying close almost the entire half.  The Lightning's lead oscillated between one and six points until the final two minutes when the Lightning expanded their lead to eight, 34-26 heading into the locker room at halftime.

For the game, the lightning shot 28-62 (45.2%).  Chestnut Hill (1-12 overall) made one less field goal and shot 27-65 (41.5%).  Chestnut Hill made four more three-point baskets (9-5) than the Lightning while the Lightning made 18 of 21 free throws (CHC 11-14).  Both teams finished the game with 37 rebounds.

The men's basketball team returns to action on Saturday, January 6, 2024, when they host Felician University at Sorgenti Arena.  Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.