January 31, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

CHC men proceed past Pioneers
by TOM UTESCHER

Chestnut Hill College’s Larz Jeter (left) scored 15 points and L. B. Rebstock  scored 10 against Columbia Union. (Photo by Jimmy J. Pack Jr.)

The men’s hoop squad at Chestnut Hill College hasn’t had an easy season, but last Thursday evening the Griffins hosted a team struggling through a truly woeful winter.

Arriving on Thursday, Jan. 24, in Chestnut Hill from Maryland, Columbia Union University owned an overall record of 1-15, and had allowed opponents to score more than 100 points on half-a-dozen occasions, including a 156-91 offensive festival at Virginia Military Institute.

However, at the beginning of last week, Pioneers acquired Cliff Ault, a transfer from Division I Howard University, and in his initial outing with the Pioneers he helped them chalk up their first victory of the season, an 87-84 win over Maryland Bible College on Monday night.

At CHC, the Pioneers proved pesky, but the Griffins did not waste this ideal opportunity to nail down a “W,” conquering Columbia 86-75 and raising their record to 3-13 overall. Columbia Union competes in NCAA Division II as an independent, so Chestnut Hill’s record within the Central Atlantic Athletic Conference remained at 2-5.

The locals went ahead at the outset, as L.B. Rebstock (10 points, three assists total) broke the ice with a successful drive and Brandon Williams (18 points, five rebounds) deposited one of two free throws before the Pioneers’ Maurice Stallion galloped down the court for a transition lay-up. Rebstock added a pair of three pointers during the first five minutes, but three-balls were numerous during the opening period, with Chestnut Hill connecting with five perimeter missiles while the Pioneers put in four.

Although the visitors never led, they had the game tied at 20, 23, and 26 points apiece before CHC forward Larz Jeter (15 points) moved the hosts ahead for good by sticking a “three” from the right wing and then following up with a short jumper from the lane. In the remaining minutes of the period the Griffin guards took over, with Williams, Bryant Lennon (four points, four rebounds), and Julian McFadden showing the way to a 40-30 halftime advantage.

McFadden would go on to lead Chestnut Hill in both points, with 21, and assists, with five, while also corralling four rebounds.

The Pioneers wouldn’t go away in the second half, partly because freshman guard Tim Turner scored all of his 18 total points after the intermission. The visitors whittled the lead down to four points, then the Griffins built it back up to 10. Columbia Union made its closest approach with about eight minutes remaining, when Turner’s second trey brought the Pioneers within two points of CHC, at 56-54.

Chestnut Hill escaped the immediate danger as Williams drove for two, McFadden fired from outside for three, and Trenton Davidheiser (11 points, 10 rebounds) hit a lay-up, giving the locals a nine-point cushion. After that, the Pioneers never got closer than seven points, and over the last two minutes, 10 points from the free throw line helped CHC set the final margin at 11.

Although the only player to foul out was the Griffins’ Tom Magnum, Columbia Union had more infractions as a team, with 25 for the night. Chestnut Hill converted on 28 of its 37 free throws, with McFadden making 11 of 13 tosses (84.6-percent). Kevin Whaley added seven points and five rebounds for the winners.

The Pioneers were paced by four double-digit scorers: Stallion (24), Turner (18), Dana Clark (13), and Ault (15 points, 15 rebounds).