OAKDALE, N.Y. - The Caldwell College men's basketball team struggled offensively in a 64-42 loss to Dowling College in a non-conference contest Tuesday evening at St. John's University's Eastern Long Island Campus. The defeat ended a two-game winning streak for the Cougars, who are now 10-14 on the season. The lions improve to 8-15.

Dowling led by as many as nine points in the first half before Caldwell was able to cut the lead to four before halftime. A pair of free throws by senior forward B.J. Suchy (Ronkonkoma, NY/Our Savior New American) and a conventional three-point play by sophomore center Wojciech Bocianowski (Warsaw, Poland/Life Center Acad.), pictured, made the score 26-22 in favor of Dowling at the break. The Cougars were able to stay within striking distance despite making just 6-of-23 from the field compared to 10-of-20 for the Lions in the first half.

Baskets by junior forward Manny Perez (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) and senior guard Michael Wise (Whitesboro, NJ/Middle Twp.) sandwiched around a three-pointer by Dowling's Genc Selimi cut the Lions' lead to 29-26 with 16:28 on the clock. Dowling followed with a 10-3 run to take a commanding 39-29 lead at the 11:33 mark. The advantage would grow to 21 points after a 13-0 spree put the Lions on top 58-37 with 4:23 to play. The Cougars' shooting woes continued in the second half, as Caldwell hit just 25.0 percent from the floor after halftime to finish the game shooting a season-low 25.5 percent.

Suchy and Perez each scored eight points to lead the Cougars, with Perez grabbing a team-best five rebounds. David Seagers recorded 18 points and seven assists for Dowling, with Selimi pitching in 13 points and 11 boards.

Caldwell travels to Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, Feb. 16 to face Chestnut Hill College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.