CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College women's basketball team lost a close game with Queens College, 82-79 on the second day of the ECAC Holiday Classic, held at the George R. Newman Center. The defeat ends the Cougars' four-game winning streak and gives them a 4-5 record on the season. The Knights improve to 6-4 with the win.

Three-pointers by freshman guards Kaitlyn Lambert (Cumberland, RI/Cumberland) and Lynéa Blue (Jersey City, NJ/Marist) helped get Caldwell off to an 18-10 start in the first five minutes of the game. The Knights answered with a 13-2 run to take a 21-20 lead with just over 12 minutes left in the first half. The lead changed twice before Queens gained the upper hand for the rest of the period, eventually taking a 44-37 advantage at halftime. Jennifer DiChiara totaled 15 points and nine rebounds in the first half for Queens, which shot 51.6 percent from the field compared to 36.1 percent for Caldwell.

Four points apiece by senior forwards Mackenzie Lynch (Wayne, NJ/DePaul Catholic) and Janay Perkins (Bronx, NY/Walton) sparked a 10-2 run to open the second half, giving the Cougars a 47-46 lead. But the Knights reeled off the next nine points to regain control of the game and take a 55-47 lead with 13:11 to play. The Cougars picked away at the deficit and eventually took back the lead on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Kirsty Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Acad.), 65-63 with 8:16 on the clock. Caldwell maintained the lead until baskets by Amanda Bartlett and Janine Maser sandwiched around a Caldwell turnover put Queens ahead, 80-76 with 1:31 left. Lambert was fouled while shooting a three-pointer and made all three free throws to pull the Cougars within one with a minute to play. But Caldwell came up empty on their next possession, and two free throws by DiChiara made it 82-79 with 11 seconds on the clock. Leedham and Lambert both missed threes at the end of the game to seal the win for Queens.

Lynch led the Cougars with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two steals for her sixth double-double of the season. Leedham finished with 15 points, while Lambert had 12 points, four rebounds and three steals. Blue dished out a career-best seven assists. For Queens, DiChiara led all players with 28 points and 15 boards while making 12-of-13 from the free throw line to receive Player of the Game honors. Jennifer Robbins added eight points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Mercy won the other women's game at the ECAC Holiday Classic, edging Felician 67-66 on a late basket by Delmara Reece, who was named the Player of the Game.

The Cougars will participate in the Pace University Tournament on Dec. 29-30, beginning with a game with the host Setters on Monday, Dec. 29. The game is set to start at 6:00 p.m. in Pleasantville, N.Y.