MIAMI, FL – The Cabrini men's basketball team shook off the rust from a 10 day layoff and an early wake-up call to score an 83-79 win over Chapman University this morning at the HOOPMIA Div. III Holiday Tournament in Miami, FL.

The victory improved the Cavaliers to 6-2 overall, while the Panthers fell to 7-2 on the year.

All five Blue and White starters recorded at least nine points, while three scored in double figures.

Sophomore Keith Blassingale led the way, matching a career high with 25 points, connecting on 6-8 from three point range.  Senior Tyheim Monroe paired 20 points and 17 rebounds for his eighth double-double in as many games.

Freshman DJ Smith added 15 points, while fellow rookie Trey Smith and junior Ivan Robinson tallied nine points each.  Robinson also handed out a career best nine assists.

Cabrini got off to a great start, as the Smiths combined for the team's first eight points. Monroe connected on a short jumper in the paint to put the Blue and White ahead 10-1 just three minutes into the action.

The Cavaliers led by as many as 13 points, as a DJ Smith triple put Cabrini ahead 24-11 at the 8:21 mark.

Despite trailing through the entire first half, Chapman kept the Cavaliers within reach, as it shot .560 from the field in the first half and trailed just 41-35 at the break.

The lead swelled to 56-41 five minutes into the second half, as Blassingale and DJ Smith drained five threes on Cabrini's opening possessions of the second half.

The Panthers refused to go away without a fight, as Chapman pulled within 58-53 with 9:43 to play. Cabrini never allowed its lead to slip away, but with 5:54 left on the clock, Chapman's Sean Comer drilled a triple to pull the Panthers to within 66-62.

Cabrini responded with a 7-1 spurt, anchored by a Trey Smith three pointer with 4:23 to play.

Chapman continued to chip away at its deficit, as a Rob Nelsen free throw Cabrini's lead to 74-68 with just over two minutes remaining. Robinson found Blassingale for his final triple of the night extended the lead back to nine points at the 1:54 mark

The Cavaliers iced the win from the free throw line, connecting on six of its eight attempts over the game's final 70 seconds.

Cabrini shot just .469 from the field, including 11-29 from three point range, and .571 from the charity stripe, but converted 12 Chapman turnovers into 19 points and 12 offensive rebounds into 17 second chance points.

Nelsen led the Panthers with 21 points, while Luke Selway added 12 points, five rebounds, five steals and three steals in the loss.

Cabrini will return to action on Wednesday, as it faces Eastern Connecticut State (9-1) at 12pm.