CALDWELL, N.J. - Junior forward Mackenzie Lynch (Wayne, NJ/DePaul Catholic) recorded 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Caldwell College women's basketball team to a 72-57 triumph over Goldey-Beacom College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest Saturday night in the George R. Newman Center. The victory is the Cougars' third straight and improves their record to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference. The Lightning fall to 3-3, 1-1 CACC.

A 13-0 run midway through the first half gave Caldwell a 20-8 advantage with 6:48 to play in the half. But the Lightning got back into the game with a 12-2 run of its own to pull to within two, 22-20 2:34 before halftime. A lay-up by senior guard Phylicia Holmes (Roselle, NJ/Roselle) allowed the Cougars to take a 28-24 lead at the break.

Following Janae Weldon's basket to open the second half, Caldwell used three-pointers by freshman guards Abena George (Elmont, NY/Elmont Memorial) and Stephanie Cadet (Elmont, NY/Elmont Memorial) to spark a 16-4 spree that put the Cougars ahead 44-30 with 14:41 on the clock. The Lightning never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way, as the lead would grow to as many as 21 points before Goldey-Beacom twice came within 12 points in the game's final three minutes. The Cougars forced 28 turnovers while committing 16 for the game. Caldwell also overcame poor shooting in the second half (35.0 percent from the field) by grabbing 15 offensive rebounds after halftime.

Lynch, pictured, made 9-of-11 from the free throw line and 7-of-15 from the floor to tally her second double-double this season. She also added three assists and three steals. Cadet, who was 4-of-7 from three-point range, finished with 12 points, while Holmes had 11 points and six boards. Toni Jones had 21 points and 13 rebounds and Kellyn Nolan had 17 points for Goldey-Beacom in a losing effort.

Next up for Caldwell is a non-conference game at Adelphi University on Saturday, Dec. 15. The game is set to start at 5:30 p.m. in Garden City, N.Y.