CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College men's basketball team fell to Adelphi University, 71-40 at the ECAC Holiday Classic, hosted by Caldwell College in the George R. Newman Center on Saturday evening. The loss is the Cougars' second in a week to the Panthers, who defeated Caldwell in a non-conference game last Saturday in Garden City, N.Y. The Cougars are now 0-7, while Adelphi improves to 9-1.

Caldwell held an early 9-2 lead on a pair of three-pointers by Dante Rollins (East Orange, NJ/Bloomfield Tech) but the Panthers came back strong, leading by as many as 23 before taking a 43-21 advantage into the break. The Cougars never came closer than 23 points in the second half, as Adelphi cruised to another 31-point win over Caldwell, which made just 21.1 percent from the floor in the second half and 28.9 percent for the game. The Cougars went to the line 31 times compared to 19 for the Panthers, but were unable to take advantage, making just 16 (51.6 percent).

Sophomore center Peter Diffley (Bellerose, NY/Episcopal) had nine points and six rebounds to lead Caldwell, while sophomore guard Nic Otovic (Kraljevo, Serbia) tallied five assists. Richard Byrd led all scorers with 13 points for Adelphi, which also received 12 points from Chris Diasparra. Diasparra went 5-of-8 from the field and was selected the Player of the Game.

In the other men's game at the ECAC Holiday Classic, East Stroudsburg held off Dominican College, 78-74 with the help of 24 points from Andy Heimbach, the Player of the Game.

The ECAC Holiday Classic concludes Sunday, Dec. 20, with Caldwell playing East Stroudsburg at 6:00 p.m. and Dominican facing Adelphi at 2:00 p.m.