Four players scoring double figures and a record breaking rebound night from Neal Hill was not enough as Molloy University edged the Chestnut Hill College Men's basketball team 69-66 Saturday afternoon at Sorgenti Arena.

The Griffins fall to 4-7 overall while the Lions improve to 3-8.

Hill became the first player in program history to record 20 or more rebounds in a single game when he grabbed his 20^th rebound with five minutes remaining.  He finished the game with 21 total rebounds, establishing a new school record, surpassing the old mark of 19 that he set last season.  Hill becomes the first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference player since Isayas Aris of Alliance University grabbed 22 on Jan. 8, 2022.  His 21 rebounds are also the third highest total by an NCAA division II player this season.

Alejandro Redondo Cybak and IV Pettit led the four Chestnut Hill players in double figures with 18 points apiece.  Noah Charles added 12 points while Tommy Gardler produced his best game to date as a Griffin, coming off the bench to pump in 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3FG). Charles added eight rebounds and Cybak seven to compliment Hill's 21-rebound effort.  Hill also led all players with six assists. 

The Griffins trailed 31-27 at the half and the Lions upped the margin to six with a basket in the opening seconds of the second half.  Chestnut Hill rallied with a 13-5 run  over the next four minutes to take their first lead since the 12:58 mark of the first half, 40-38 with 15:33 left in the game.  Pettit had the first four points of the run while Gardler capped the effort with a three-ball.

Molloy tied the score twice, the last at 42-42 before a 14-8 spurt put the Griffins ahead by six midway through the period.  Three-point baskets from Gardler and Hill highlighted the run.  Chestnut Hill still led by four when Molloy ran off five straight points to regain the lead 59-58 with 6:52 remaining.  The two teams swapped a one-point advantage for the next four minutes with the Lions leading 63-62 with just under three minutes remaining.  Two free throws by Molloy's Rob Matos (24 points) with 1:52 left pushed the Lions' lead to three 65-62 with the Griffins playing catch-up the rest-of the way.  CHC closed within one twice and had a chance to take the lead with just under a minute left following a molly turnover but were unable to convert.  Matos added a driving layup with 15 seconds left to round out the scoring.  Pettit's three-point shot fell short in the final seconds as the Lions hung on for the win.

In the opening half, Molloy scored the first seven points of the game for their biggest lead of the contest before the Griffins wiped the deficit with eight straight points.  The lead changed hands four more times until the Lions took a 16-14 advantage with 12:28 left.  The Griffins later tied the game at 23-23 with 6:42 left before the Lions closed out the half on an 8-4 run to lead by four at the break.

For the game, The lions had the better shooting day, making 42.9% (27-63) of their shots; 28.6% (6-21) of their three-point attempts; and 90% (9-10) of their free throws.  Chestnut Hill shot 38.1% (24-63) from the field; 23.3% (78-300 from beyond the arc and 68.8% (11-16) from the free throw line.  Chestnut Hill out-rebounded Molloy 46-31 (16-5 on the offensive glass) while Molloy committed just seven turnovers to CHC's 15.

The men's basketball team will return to action on January 4, 2025, when they host the University of Bridgeport for a CACC clash.  Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.  The January 4^th date has also been designated as Chris Evans Day.