CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College men's basketball team held off a late charge to win its third straight game, 61-55 over the University of the Sciences Tuesday night in the George R. Newman Center. The victory gives the Cougars a 3-1 record in the conference and a 5-9 mark overall, while the Devils fall to 4-6, 1-3 CACC.
The Cougars took an early 12-3 lead in the game's first six minutes and 22 seconds, buoyed by a pair of threes from senior guard Michael Wise (Whitesboro, NJ/Middle Twp.). But Caldwell failed to score over the next 7:18, allowing USP to take a 14-12 lead. A dunk by junior forward Manny Perez (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) helped the Cougars grab a 22-18 lead with 1:47 left in the half, but two free throws by Charlie Fritsch and a put-back from Jarrod Frazier tied the game at 22-22 at the break.
The Cougars eventually took back the lead by opening the second half with a 16-6 run for a 38-28 advantage at the 12:17 mark. The Devils fought back, pulling to within four points after a three-pointer by Keith Dundas made the score 43-39 with 7:11 left. A conventional three-point play by sophomore guard Eddie Crockett (Passaic, NJ/Passaic) sparked a 10-3 run that was capped by a three-pointer by junior guard Carl Augustin (Stony Point, NY/Don Bosco Prep) to give Caldwell a 53-42 lead with 4:41 to play. Again the Devils would not go away, as they used a 9-1 run to trail 56-53 with 36 seconds on the clock. But the Cougars made 5-of-8 from the line down the stretch to wrap up the victory.
Caldwell forced 19 turnovers and had 10 steals, but were out-rebounded 39-22 by the Devils, who grabbed 19 offensive boards.
Wise, pictured, led the Cougars with 16 points, while Augustin scored 14 points and Perez had 11. Senior guard Hans Stelzer (Selden, NY/Our Savior New American) tallied five assists and four steals, and senior guard Adam Sabree (Detroit, MI/Renaissance) snared a team-best six rebounds. Fritsch and Tramar Beaman paced USP with 13 points apiece.
The Cougars will play at Dominican College in a CACC contest on Thursday, Jan. 10. Game time is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in Orangeburg, N.Y.
