RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Sophomore forward Melissa Freeman (Cresskill, NJ/Cresskill), left, poured in a career-high 23 points, and junior guard Shannon Coyle (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney) added 19 as the Caldwell College women's basketball team defeated Felician College, 79-71 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game Tuesday evening. With the win, the Cougars improve to 5-11 overall and 5-8 in the CACC, while the Golden Falcons fall to 5-11 on the season, including a 4-10 conference record.

The Cougars controlled play in the first half, building a 23-11 lead that was capped by a three-pointer from junior forward Amy Gaudious (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) at the 9:44 mark. After Cherita Gray's three cut the Cougars' lead to 28-21, Caldwell used a 10-0 run sparked by four points from freshman forward Janay Prim (Ansonia, CT/Kolbe Cathedral) to take its largest lead of the half, 38-21 with 3:33 left in the first period. The Golden Falcons were able to cut the deficit to 44-30 at the break. The first half saw the Cougars shoot a blazing 66.7 percent from the floor, with Freeman making seven of her nine field goal attempts en route to 15 points.

A pair of baskets by Freeman to open the second half put the Cougars up 48-30 in the first minute for their largest advantage of the game. Caldwell maintained a comfortable lead for most of the half, and held a 67-50 bulge with 7:28 remaining. But the Golden Falcons made a late push, scoring the next nine points to reduce the Cougars' lead to 67-59 with just over five minutes left in the game. Caldwell answered with a pair of baskets from sophomore forward Dana Leary (Bridgewater, NJ/Immaculata), as the Cougars built the lead back up to 13 with just under two minutes on the clock. Felician came to within seven points twice down the stretch, but the lead was to much to overcome as the Cougars won their second game in a row.

Freeman went 10-of-13 from the field to top her previous career high of 21 points, set against Nyack College earlier this season. Coyle, right, hit three three-pointers and 8-of-9 from the line to match her season best with 19 points. Sophomore guard Phylicia Holmes (Roselle, NJ/Roselle) recorded seven boards and three steals in the win. Danielle Norman had 22 points and eight rebounds to pace Felician.

The Cougars travel to Philadelphia, Pa., for their next game on Tuesday, Jan. 26 against Holy Family University. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.