Box Score PHILADELPHIA – The #14/17 Thomas Jefferson University men's basketball team (16-2, 9-0 CACC) outscored visiting Chestnut Hill (3-15, 3-5 CACC) 58-46 in the second half to secure a 91-75 victory on Tuesday night.
GAMEPLAY
With the score even at four early, the Rams took control with a 10-2 run. Senior Josh Bradanese led the stretch with eight points, including two three-pointers. With Jefferson ahead 17-8, the Griffins rallied for nine points in a row to tie the score at 17 (10:38). The teams went back-and-forth from that point with four more ties coming over the next six minutes. Bradanese hit another triple at the 2:04 mark to give the Rams a 30-26 advantage. CHC got within one before a layup and a free throw put Jefferson ahead 33-29 at the intermission. Bradanese led all scorers with 15 points in the period.
In the second, the Rams held onto a 36-32 lead. They increased their cushion with a 7-0 run to make the score 43-32. A three by sophomore Deondre Bourne upped the margin to 15 (60-45) with 12:46 remaining. Another long bucket by Bourne (10:34) gave Jefferson its largest lead of the night (70-52). The score was 77-60 when the Griffins began to rally to get back into the game. CHC strung together eight consecutive points to close the gap to nine (77-68) with 5:33 to go. However, that was the closest that the Griffins would get as the Rams doubled up CHC in the final five minutes.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Bourne drilled seven threes on the night and finished with 26 points. He was 7-of-14 from the field, including 7-for-10 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 5-for-5 at the line.
- Bradanese totaled 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting. He was 4-for-8 from downtown and grabbed nine rebounds with three assists and two blocks.
- Senior DeVaughn Mallory recorded 17 points, eight boards, two assists and two blocks.
- Senior Kylan Guerra registered 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
AS A TEAM
- The Rams shot a scorching 50.8% (31-of-61), including 44.4% (12-of-27) from three-point range. They were 17-for-23 (73.9%) at the foul line.
- Jefferson won the rebound battle, 38-36.
- The Rams dished 19 assists and turned the ball over just six times.
NOTES
- Just prior to Tuesday's game, Jefferson moved up to #14 and #17 respectively in the two national polls. It is the Rams' highest ranking since December 6, 2004 (8th).
- It was the eighth time this year that Jefferson shot over 50.0% in a game.
- The Rams have their best record through their first 18 games since 1994-95 (17-1).
- Jefferson is 9-0 in the CACC for the first time since the 2007-08 campaign.
NEXT UP
The Rams play Bloomfield at home on Saturday, January 25 at 4 p.m.
