CALDWELL, N.J. – Six players scored in double figures to lift the Caldwell College men's basketball team to a 94-61 victory over Mercy College in the ECAC Holiday Classic, held at Caldwell's George R. Newman Center Saturday night. The victory snaps a two-game losing streak for the Cougars, who are now 4-5 on the season. The Mavericks remain winless with the loss at 0-8.

After surrendering the first basket of the game to Mercy's Ed Wilson, Caldwell took control with a 25-5 run punctuated by eight points from senior forward Manny Perez (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) and six from junior forward Sam Cricelli (Brighton, England/Culham School). The Cougars never looked back, building the lead to 24 points and taking a 43-19 halftime advantage. Caldwell held the Mavericks to 26.7 percent shooting from the floor while making 56.3 percent of their own attempts in the first half.

Mercy improved its shooting touch in the second half, hitting 57.1 percent after halftime. But it did not prevent the Cougars from pulling away, leading by as many as 39 points before taking a 33-point victory, 94-61. Caldwell continued shooting well, making 56.8 percent from the floor in the second half. The Cougars also finished with a huge advantage on the boards, out-rebounding the Mavericks 49-21 for the game. They also dished out a season-best 18 assists.

Perez led the Cougars with 15 points and nine rebounds while hitting 6-of-8 from the field to receive Player of the Game honors. Cricelli added 14 points and seven rebounds, with starting senior center Michael Luzzi (Ledgewood, NJ/Morris Catholic) pitching in 10 points and four rebounds. Three players came off the bench and achieved career highs in scoring. Freshman center Peter Diffley (Bellerose, NY/Episcopal) had 13 points, freshman guard Malcolm Austin (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Acad.) scored 11 points and sophomore guard Dante Rollins (East Orange, NJ/Bloomfield Tech) hit four three-pointers en route to 12 points. Mercy's Justin McMullen scored 18 points to lead all players, while Wilson finished with 16 points.

Felician College held off Queens College in the other men's game at the ECAC Holiday Classic, winning 73-70. Ethan Kennedy scored 21 points and was named the Player of the Game.

The Cougars play Queens College in the final game of the ECAC Holiday Classic on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6:00 p.m.