• Box Score

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Nov. 11, 2011)- Five bears scored in double digits as NYIT men's basketball fell 97-76 to Chestnut Hill in a hard fought, non-conference battle. With the loss the Bears evened to 1-1 on the season, while the Griffins picked up their first win of the year, 1-0.

Junior Kayvon Roberts (Corona, N.Y.) led NYIT with 22 points on 6-10 shooting from the field. Roberts also made his presence felt in the paint as he went to the line 14 times and connected on 10.  Junior Dominic Scurry (Ozone Park, N.Y.) chipped in with 14 points and seven assist and junior transfer Azel Prather Jr. (Glenarden, Md.) scored 13 points and had a team-best seven rebounds.

Chestnut Hill claimed a quick 5-0 lead in the first half and held NYIT scoreless until the 17:29 mark, when Prather Jr. broke the silence with a jumper. However, the Griffins continued to control the scoreboard throughout the game. Chestnut Hill grabbed its largest lead of the game with 1:06 remaining in the first half 56-27 on a three-pointer by Jakeem Borgans. Yet, the Bears answered with a trey of their own from Scurry. A layup by Russell Holloway (Budd Lake, N.J.) ended the first half 58-32 in favor of the Griffins. Chestnut Hill out-shot NYIT 65% to 42% from the field and had a 19-11 rebound advantage. 

NYIT came out more aggressive in the second half and cut the lead down to 16-points on a layup by David Naves (Bowie, Md.). The Bears trailed 80-64 with 7:50 to play. NYIT continued to fight with baskets by Holloway and Scurry. At 3:53, Prather Jr. made it a 14-point game 86-72 with a layup off a dish from Naves. Yet, Chestnut Hill responded with a a three-pointer by Mark DiRugeris Jr. and a layup by Dan Comas to push ahead by 19 points, 91-72. A jumper by Ryan Williams (Stockton, Calif.) and a layup by Nick Fessenden (Greenlawn, N.Y.) were the last shots the Bears would take as the Griffins won 97-76.

For the Griffins, Comas registered a game-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 13-for-15 from the field. 

NYIT returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 16 on the road at former conference foe Concordia (N.Y.). Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Bronxville, N.Y.