Chestnut Hill Men’s Basketball Ends Non-Conference Schedule With Loss to Golden Rams

West Chester, PA – (12/9/2010) – Long range shooting and a 20-14 rebounding edge helped West Chester University to a 37-30 halftime lead over Chestnut Hill College in this evening’s contest. Following the break, the Golden Ram increased to as many as 18, 69-51, before surviving the Griffins final effort for an 82-74 win. Four Griffins finished in double figures with senior guard Brandon Williams (Philadelphia, PA) posting 19 points as the leading scorer.

Chestnut Hill College (2-6) owned the early advantage with an opening 10-2 run (16:18). However, West Chester University (5-1) eventually slowed the Griffin offense to force the contest’s only lead change with 10:47 left to play in the half, 14-12. A balanced effort gave the Golden Rams a 37-30 halftime lead, as the home team outrebounded the Griffins 20-14 while hitting 6-of-10 (60.0%) from beyond the arc. Williams totaled 14 points by the break, hitting 4-of-5 (80.0%) from the field, 2-of-3 (66.7%) long range, and 4-of-5 (80.0%) from the free throw line.

The Griffins could not keep pace in the second half as the Golden Ram lead quickly reached 13, 43-30, just a minute into the period. The play of sophomore guard Shannon Givens (Philadelphia, PA) and junior forward Khalif Foster (Collingswood, PA) helped the Golden Rams extended the deficit to 18, 69-51, but the Griffins would have one last run before the final buzzer. Under the direction of Williams and junior guard Uros Kovacevic (Kotor, Montenegro), the Griffins came back within nine, 78-69, but with only 32 seconds remaining time ran out on the rally, 82-74. Givens totaled 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists while Foster controlled the paint for the Golden Rams with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Eli Daniel (Upper Darby, PA) added 18 points and sophomore forward Harley Williamson (Lower Merion, PA) chipped in with 15 points.

For the Griffins, Kovacevic, sophomore guard Jakeem Bogans (Philadelphia, PA), and junior center Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) joined Williams in double-figures. Kovacevic and Bogans each finished with 14 points; Bogans hit 4-of-5 (80.0%) from three-point territory while Kovacevic also contributed three rebounds and three assists. Comas recorded 11 points and led the Griffins on the glass with six rebounds. In addition to his 19 points, Williams supplied six assists from the point.

The men’s basketball team resumes their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) schedule with a 3:00 p.m. contest at Goldey-Beacom College on Saturday, December 11.