Philadelphia, Pa. - The Holy Family University men's basketball team used a second half surge to defeat visiting Chestnut Hill College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest Tuesday night at the Campus Center Gymnasium.
 
With the win, Holy Family improves to 7-7 overall and 3-3 in conference play.  The seven victories mark the most wins in a season for the Tigers since the team won eight games during the 2008-09 season.  Chestnut Hill is now 12-6 overall and 5-1 in the CACC.
 
Senior Rickie Crews (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) led Holy Family with a game-high 21 points after shooting 8-of-16 from the field.  Crews also grabbed six rebounds and blocked six shots.  Sophomore Alberto Munoz (Morrisville, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons) scored 16 points in the win and recorded a career-high 13 rebounds to record a double-double.
 
Junior Khiry Hankins (Cincinnati, Ohio/Summit Country Day School) contributed 12 points, while sophomore Rashaad Sneed (Durham, N.C./Hillside Heat Academy) came off the bench to add ten points.  Junior Angel Ayala (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) scored eight points and finished with ten rebounds against the Griffins.  He also dished out four assists.
 
For Chestnut Hill, senior Brandon Williams scored a team-best 19 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists.  Junior Mark DiRugeris finished the game with 17 points, while freshman Luke Dickson added ten points. 
 
Holy Family found itself trailing by as many as 12 points after freshman Torrell Candelaria drained a three-pointer to give Chestnut Hill a 52-40 lead early in the second half. 
 
Despite the deficit, the Tigers refused to back down and overcame the double-digit hole. Holy Family eventually tied the game at 56-56 after a three-pointer by Munoz.  The Tigers used a 16-4 run over a four-plus minute span to tie the game.
 
Holy Family regained the lead for the first time since leading 13-12 in the first half after Munoz drained a pair of free throws to make the score 58-56 with 8:50 remaining. 
 
Chestnut Hill though answered and eventually took the lead back.   The Griffins led by four points after a jumper by DiRugeris which made the score 63-59 at the 5:55 mark of the half.
 
Just over a minute later, Holy Family tied the game at 63-63 with a pair of free throws by Hankins. 
 
As the half progressed, Chestnut Hill led (67-65) with 1:12 showing on the clock after DiRugeris scored another big shot for the Griffins. 
 
The Tigers came within one point of the Griffins' lead after Munoz split a pair of free throws with :53 seconds left to play. 
 
After a defensive stop, Holy Family regained possession and had a chance to take the lead with :20 seconds left to play.  With the clock winding down Ayala attempted a layup but came up short, however Crews was right there to grab the offensive board and make the tip-in to give the Tigers a 68-67 lead with seconds remaining on the clock.
 
On its next trip down the court, Chestnut Hill missed a three-pointer in attempt to take the lead as Munoz grabbed the defensive board resulting in the Griffins to foul with about three seconds left on the clock.  Munoz converted his two free throws to give the Tigers a 70-67 advantage and eventual win.
 
Chestnut Hill managed to get off a desperation three-pointer as the horn sounded but came up short as Holy Family secured the victory.
 
Holy Family is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 14 as the Tigers host Wilmington University in a CACC contest.  Game time is slated for 12 p.m.