BOX SCORE

BLOOMFIELD, N.J. - Senior forward Matt Wafula (Harlem, N.Y.) converted an improbable layup as time expired to move the men's basketball team to 21-6 overall and 15-2 in conference play Saturday afternoon, as the Deacons rallied to top the Chestnut Hill College Griffins 74-73 in a miraculous home victory. 

A seesaw battle from the outset, Chestnut Hill was able to set the pace in the early going, holding a slim advantage until the final minutes of the opening half.  Bloomfield was able to grab the lead at 29-28 with just over 4:12 to play in the period, but the Griffins would rebound to win the frame and take a slim 33-31 lead into the intermission. 

The Deacons would gain their biggest lead of the afternoon midway through the final 20 minutes of action, engineering a 9-0 run to take a 52-44 lead with 12 minutes to play.  But the Griffins would remain within striking distance, even as the Bloomfield lead reached as many as seven points over the remainder of the contest.  Chestnut Hill would eventuall draw even at 64 with 3:04 remaining, setting the stage for one of the most improbable victories in recent Bloomfield Basketball history. 

A 5-0 run by the Griffins gave them their biggest lead of the half, but the Deacons would quickly erase the deficit and grab a 70-69 lead with 1:10 to play.  Chestnut Hill's Luke Dickson and Bloomfield's Ahmad Harris (Linden, N.J.) traded dramatic layups on consecutive possessions, leaving the Deacons ahead by one with 36 ticks remaining.  

After a Chestnut Hill timeout, guard Francis Ashe weaved his way through the Bloomfield defense, knifing his way into the lane and just beating an oncoming defender with a layup to give the Griffins a 73-72 lead with just two seconds to play.  Chestnut Hill would successfully sniff out three straight Bloomfield inbounds plays, exausting the home team's timeouts and leaving one last desperation attempt to steal the victory.

Nearly drawing a five-second violation, Harris heaved the ball long in the direction of Wafula, the pass somehow finding its way through the converging Griffin defenders.  The ball scurried towards the baseline, with Wafula the only player in pursuit and the clock wound down.  The senior was able to corrall the prize just before it reached the end line, laying the ball in as the horn sounded to seal the miraculous triumph and move the club's winning streak to seven consecutive games.

Five players reached double-figures for Bloomfield on the afternoon, with sophomore guard Terry Hicks (Neptune, N.J.) leading the charge wth 15 points and eight rebounds.  Harris and rookie guard Marvin Williams (Jersey City, N.J.) each added 13 points apiece, while Wafula notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.  Sophomore forward Kevin Udo (West Orange, N.J.) also added a double-double of his own with 10 points and 11 rebounds, respectively.

Bloomfield returns to action Tuesday, February 21 when they travel to take on CACC North Division rival Concordia College.  Tip-off for the contest is scheduled for 8:00 PM.