WATERBURY, Conn. - The Caldwell College women's basketball game lost a key Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game to Post University Thursday night, falling 74-69 at the Drubner Center. The defeat, Caldwell's fourth straight, dropped the Cougars (9-15 overall) to 7-12 in the conference, a half-game behind the Eagles (7-16 overall, 7-11 CACC), who now sit in eighth place. The top eight teams in the CACC standings qualify for the CACC Tournament, which begins Feb. 28.
Caldwell took control of the game early, opening the contest with a 17-4 run that was sparked by three three-pointers from senior guard Shannon Coyle (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney), pictured. The lead grew to as many as 15 before the Cougars took a 40-27 advantage into halftime. The Cougars made 17-of-30 (56.7 percent) from the field in the first half, compared to 37.0 percent for Post.
The game changed dramatically in the second half. After a lay-up by junior guard Dana Leary (Bridgewater, NJ/Immaculata) a minute into the half restored Caldwell's 15-point lead at 44-29, the Eagles outscored the visitors 24-3 over the next 10 minutes to erase the deficit and take a 53-47 advantage with just under nine minutes to play. Post still led 66-60 with 3:35 left before the Cougars made a move. Four consecutive turnovers by Post and another three from Coyle helped Caldwell score seven straight points to regain the lead, 67-66 with 1:36 to play. After Marjorie Prado answered with a three-pointer, a basket by junior guard Khaliqa Davis (Newark, NJ/Bloomfield Tech) tied the game at 69-69 at the one-minute mark. Tadj Williams put Post back on top with a pair of free throws, but the Cougars couldn't respond, missing their final two field goal attempts while the Eagles hit 3-of-4 from the free throw line in the game's final 24 seconds.
Post shot the ball well in the second half, making 63.0 percent from the floor while holding Caldwell to 31.4 percent. The Cougars also struggled from the charity stripe, going 6-of-14 (42.9 percent) for the game. Coyle made a season-high six threes to finish with 19 points, while junior guard Phylicia Holmes (Roselle, NJ/Roselle) grabbed a team-best eight boards to go with eight points. Davis tallied 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds, with Leary recording 13 points. Williams had 19 points and 14 boards to pace Post, which avenged a loss to Caldwell earlier this season.
The Cougars continue CACC play with a game at Philadelphia University on Saturday, Feb. 17, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
