CALDWELL, N.J. - Junior guard Dana Leary (Bridgewater, NJ/Immaculata), left, matched her career best with 24 points as the Caldwell College women's basketball team defeated Nyack College, 81-64 Tuesday evening at the George R. Newman Center. The victory give the Cougars a conference record of 8-13 (10-16 overall) and moves them within a game of eighth place in the CACC standings. The Warriors fall to 7-16, 5-15 CACC and are eliminated from the conference tournament picture.

The Cougars opened the game with a 13-3 run in the first six minutes of the contest and built a 28-8 advantage with just under seven minutes left in the half. Nyack scored the next nine points to cut the Cougars' lead to 28-17 with four minutes to go. The Warriors used a 7-1 run to pull to within 33-26 before a basket by Leary gave the Cougars a 35-26 halftime lead.

Caldwell grabbed control of the game early in the second half with a 17-5 spree that made the score 59-37 with 12:22 on the clock. The Warriors never came closer than 15 the rest of the way, as the Cougars snapped a five-game losing streak and completed the season sweep of Nyack. Defensive pressure helped Caldwell swipe a season-best 21 steals, including 10 thefts by junior guard Khaliqa Davis (Newark, NJ/Bloomfield Tech).

Leary, who made 10-of-14 from the field, tied her 24-point performance against Philadelphia University on Jan. 11 earlier this season. She also grabbed nine rebounds and had four steals. Junior guard Phylicia Holmes (Roselle, NJ/Roselle) recorded a career-best 19 points, 12 boards and three steals, senior center Amy Gaudious (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) added 11 points and eight rebounds, and Davis finished with 13 points and four assists.

The Cougars wrap up the regular season with a home game against Goldey-Beacom College on Saturday, Feb. 24. The game is the final home contest for seniors Gaudious, guard Shannon Coyle (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney) and guard Amy Ransom (Chattanooga, TN/Notre Dame). The tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.