IV Pettit's career-high 29 points led four players in double figures as the Chestnut Hill College Men's Basketball team scored a huge road victory defeating Felician University 79-74 Saturday afternoon in Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Griffins evened their overall record at 10-10 with the win and maintain a share of first place in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference south division standings with a 6-4 record. The Golden Falcons fall to 12-8 overall and 5-5 in league play.
Pettit made seven field goals (7-16) and was a near perfect 13-for-14 from the free throw line en route to his career high 29 points. Kamal Lee came off the bench to score 15 points, making five three point baskets (5-6) while Alejandro Redondo Cybak and Noah Charles added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Neal Hill recorded his 11th straight game with double digit rebounds with a game-high 11 boards. Hill along with Charles led the team with four assists apiece.
Chestnut Hill went wire-to-wire in the contest, jumping out to an early 12-2 following a three-point basket from Lucas Dunn.  The Griffins gradually increased the lead to as many as 17 in the first half, following a Lee three-ball at the 8:07 mark, 29-12. The Golden Falcons rallied with an 18-8 run to pull within seven, 37-30 with 1:34 left before both teams exchanged three point baskets and Charles hit two free throws with three seconds left to give the Griffins a 42-33 lead at halftime.
The Griffins opened the second half with a 19-8 run to take a 61-41 lead with 10:53 left. Chestnut Hill maintained their double digit lead and led by 19, 74-55 with 3:58 left following a Cybak free throw when the Golden Falcons began to close the gap. Ten straight Felician points cut the lead to single digits 74-65 with 1:31 left. Two free throws from Pettit put the Griffins back up by double digits., 76-65 with 30 seconds left. Felician gave the Griffins a score in the final 30 seconds with a dunk, a three-point basket, a steal and a layup but it wasn't enough as CHC hung on for the five point win 79-74.
For the game, the Griffins connected on 23 of 58 shots from the field (41.1%) while the golden Falcons shot slightly better at 42.4%  making five more field goals (23-66). Chestnut Hill made 11 three-point baskets while Felician made seven and CHC held a decisive 22-11 advantage on the free throw line, making 22 of 30(73.3%) to Felician's (11-12, 91.7%). The Griffins held a 36-35 rebounding advantage and committed two more turnovers (10-8) which the golden Falcons took advantage of, outscoring the Griffins 21-11 in the points off turnovers category.
The men's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, when they travel to take on Holy Family University in NE Philadelphia. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m.
