Omari Salvi led three players in double figures as the Chestnut Hill college Men's Basketball team held off a tough Post University team, earning a 69-61 win over the Eagles at the Drubner Center in Waterbury, Connecticut Saturday afternoon.
The win, the Griffins' first in Waterbury since 2016, improves their record to 2-2 in Central Atlantic collegiate conference games and 6-8 overall. Post drops to 8-8 overall and 2-2 in league play.
Salvi finished the game with 18 points on a solid 7-for-11 shooting effort which included three three-point baskets. Alejandro Redondo Cybak scored 15 of his 17 points (8-16 FG) in the second half while Noah Charles added 15 points and a game high four assists. Neal Hill grabbed 11 rebounds, his fifth straight game with ten or more boards.
Chestnut Hill led by ten at the half, 33-23. Post scored the first seven points of the second half to close within three 33-30 before Salvi's three-point basket at the 14:52 mark increased CHC's lead back to seven 43-36. The Eagles stayed close and produced a 13-7 run over the next five-plus minutes to pull within one 50-49. Cybak's traditional three-point play pushed the lead back top four, 53-49 with 8:49 left. The Griffins increased the margin to seven on IV Pettit's layup with 4:15 left but the eagle soared back again with five straight points to pull within two 59-57 with 3:46 remaining. Both teams exchanged points over the next two minutes with Bol Akot's basket with 1:52 left again pulling the eagles within two. A Post turnover led to a three-point basket from Charles with 1:23 left, making the score 66-61. The Griffins made three defensive stops on the Eagles with the final one in the last 30 seconds allowing Charles to break away for a layup while getting fouled. He converted the free throw for the Griffin's final points with his team again stopping the Eagles as time ran out.
In the opening half, the Griffins held the Eagles to just 27.3% shooting (9-33) as they overcame an early Post lead to take control and build a double digit lead which at its peak was 13-points (30-17) with 5:14 left in the period. Chestnut Hill used a 14-2 run to erase a 6-4 deficit and take an 18-8 lead at the 11:36 mark with Tommy Gardler capping the run with a three-point basket. Post closed within four before another solid run by Chestnut Hill, a 10-1 uprising, gave the Griffins their biggest lead of the game at 30-17 before settling in for the 33-23 lead at halftime.
Harrison Warnock led the Eagles with 21 points while Akot added 17 and Taquan Williams 12. Derrick Thomas II had ten rebounds.
For the game, the Griffins shot 48.2% (27-56) while the Eagles shot 36.4% (24-66). Chestnut Hill made seven three point baskets (7-16, 43.8%) while Post made four (4-19, 21.1%). The Eagles held a big 42-31 rebounding advantage which included a 17-4 edge on the offensive glass. CHC's bench outscored Post 25-5 in the contest.
The men's basketball team returns to action on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, when they host Goldey-Beacom College. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m.
