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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Caldwell College men's basketball team closed out the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic with an 84-64 loss to the University of Bridgeport Sunday afternoon at the Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The defeat dropped the Cougars to 0-3 on the season, while the Purple Knights improved to 1-2.

The Cougars led for most of the first half and took a seven-point advantage after a three-pointer by sophomore guard Michael Wise (Whiteboro, NJ/Middletownship) at the 10:27 mark. But Bridgeport closed out the half with a 16-7 run over the final six minutes to take a 36-32 lead into the break. Senior guard Mark Kelly (Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Twp.) scored 10 points and sophomore forward Manny Perez (Egg Harbor, NJ/Egg Harbor) tallied nine points and eight boards for the Cougars in the first half.

The Purple Knights put the game away early in the second half, out-scoring Caldwell 18-4 over the first seven minutes and 33 seconds of the half to take a 54-36 lead. The Cougars were able to reduce the lead to 12 three times, but Bridgeport was able to build the lead up to 22 points to keep control of the game.

Perez, pictured, finished with game-highs of 24 points, 15 rebounds and three steals to pace Caldwell, while Kelly had 13 points and three steals. Mark Price led Bridgeport with 22 points, and Kevin Jeffreys tallied 19 points for the victors, who shot 63.0 percent from the field.

The Cougars return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 16, with an exhibition game against Division I Rutgers University. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in Piscataway, N.J.