PITTSBURGH, Pa. – March 8, 2021 – Chatham put together its most productive offensive output of 2021 in the regular season finale in a 97-63 drubbing of Thiel. The Cougars finish the regular season at 5-4 ahead of the playoffs.
 
The Cougars and Tomcats went back and forth in the opening stages of the first half. Chatham led by as many as seven early in the game before Thiel went on a mini run and took a five-point lead almost halfway through the first half. Chatham seized the lead back with a Malik Potter jumper at 8:28 and never looked back. The Cougars led by 13 at the half.
 
In the second half, it appeared as if Thiel was starting to chip its way back into the game, slicing the deficit to as little as six through the first 4:04 of the second half. The Tomcats would not get closer for the rest of the game. Chatham erupted to the tune of 10 second-half three's and ran away with the game 97-63.
 
Chatham set a program record with 38 made field goals, previously tied earlier this year at Franciscan. The Cougars were efficient, shooting .567 from the field and .483 from three for the game. Chatham won all other major categories, including rebounds (40-38), assists (17-6), turnovers (14-12) and blocks (4-1).
 
Leading the way was sophomore Brandon Lavernia, who scored a career-best 27 points including 7-10 from deep. Senior Malik Potter had a strong second half, scoring 13 of his 20 points in the latter 20 minutes. Freshman Simon Boyer also finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while junior Ben Pollock had a game-high 11 rebounds, finishing just one point shy of a double-double at nine points and three blocks.
 
Chatham waits for the PAC men's basketball brackets to be released this week. The playoffs begin this Saturday, March 13.