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WATERBURY, Conn. - Sophomore forward Manny Perez (Egg Harbor, NJ/Egg Harbor) poured in a career-high 34 points as the Caldwell College men's basketball team defeated Post University, 85-68 Thursday evening at the Drubner Center. The Cougars shot a sizzling 80.0 percent from the field in the second half (16-of-20) to seal the victory and improve to 14-11 on the season (10-7 CACC). The Eagles drop to 9-13 overall and 8-9 in conference play.

Post twice held a 10-point lead during the first half, including a 28-18 advantage with 9:07 on the clock. But the Cougars gained control of the game with a 15-1 run capped by a three-pointer from freshman guard Carl Augustin (Stony Point, NY/Don Bosco Prep) at the 3:35 mark that put Caldwell ahead 33-29. Perez scored eight points in the run and finished the half with 20 points as the Cougars took a 39-36 lead into the break. Perez carried his team in the first half, making all eight of his attempts from the free throw line and 6-of-9 from the field, with the rest of the Cougars going 5-of-23 from the floor.

The Cougars built their lead up to seven twice early in the second half. But back-to-back lay-ups by Arthur Robinson and Peter Lawal brought the Eagles to within two, 50-48 with 12:12 remaining. Augustin and junior guard Jean Georges (Vauxhal, NJ/Spotswood) answered for Caldwell with a pair of three-pointers, and after a Justin Skipwith basket, Augustin, right, struck from beyond the arc again to make the score 59-50 in favor of the Cougars. Another three from Georges at the 7:17 mark completed a 12-2 run that put Caldwell up 68-52, and the Cougars never looked back. In fact, Caldwell didn't miss a shot from the field in the last 11 minutes of the game, going 10-of-10 to close out the victory.

Perez, whose previous career best was 31 points, was 11-of-16 from the floor and a perfect 12-of-12 from the line. He also grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Georges finished with 18 points while making 4-of-6 from three-point range, and Augustin went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc to tally a career-best 12 points. Senior guard Kelvin Reese (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) contributed to the efficient offensive performance by dishing out nine assists to match his personal best. Skipwith led Post with 21 points and nine rebounds.

The Cougars play another conference road game on Saturday, Feb. 11, when they travel to New Castle, Del., to take on Wilmington College. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.