CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College men's basketball team lost to Franklin Pierce University, 68-51 in the final game of the ECAC/Commerce Bank Classic, held at Caldwell's George R. Newman Center Sunday afternoon. The Cougars, who have lost four straight, are now 2-6 on the season, while the Ravens improve to 5-6.

Offensive struggles continued to plague the Cougars, who made just 30.0 percent (15-of-50) from the field in the game. After a three-pointer by sophomore guard John Reed (Wall, NJ/Wall) gave Caldwell a 20-16 lead with 10:19 left in the first half, the Cougars failed to make a field goal for the remainder of the half. The Ravens took advantage, using a 17-2 run to take a 31-22 halftime lead. The Cougars were 0-for-8 from the floor with seven turnovers during the run.

A dunk by junior forward Manny Perez (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) on Caldwell's first possession of the second half sparked a 10-3 spree that put the Cougars two points back, 34-32 at the 14:45 mark. But again the scoring touch went cold, as Franklin Pierce scored nine straight points to build a 43-32 lead with 12 minutes to play. Caldwell never got closer than eight points after that, as the Ravens pulled away for their second win of the ECAC/Commerce Bank Classic. Franklin Pierce shot the ball well from the field (50.0 percent) and from three-point range (45.0 percent) for the game.

Senior guard Michael Wise (Whitesboro, NJ/Middle Twp.), pictured, led the Cougars with 13 points, while Perez finished with 11 points and four rebounds. Senior guard Hans Stelzer (Selden, NY/Our Savior New American) swiped a career-high six steals to go with four assists in the loss. Ravens' guard Timothy Munch went 5-of-9 from three-point range en route to a game high 22 points to earn Player of the Game honors for the second time this weekend. Forward Terrell Ray added 11 points, while guard Kinard Dozier had nine points and a team-best seven boards in the win.

In the day's other game, Will Carty scored 18 points to lead Dominican College to an 84-72 victory over Southern New Hampshire University. Carty, who was named Player of the Game, helped the Chargers improve to 5-2 on the season. The Penmen (4-6) were led by Sam Carey's 29 points.

The Cougars return to action next weekend at the Pace University Tournament Dec. 28-29. Caldwell faces Merrimack on Friday at 5:00 p.m. before facing the host Setters on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.