CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College men's basketball team dropped the final game of the ECAC Holiday Classic, losing to East Stroudsburg University 73-60 Sunday night in the George R. Newman Center. The Cougars fall to 0-8 on the season, while the Warriors remain unbeaten at 9-0.

The first half was close throughout, with seven lead changes and four ties. After a pair of free throws put ESU on top 28-27 late in the first half, Caldwell answered with an 8-2 run to take a 35-30 lead at halftime. Freshman guard Cameron Badger (Trenton, NJ/Living Faith Christian) scored a pair of baskets in the run, which gave Caldwell its largest lead of the first half.

The game went back and forth in the first 10 minutes of the second half, as the lead changed hands six times. With the game tied at 45-45, the Cougars reeled off seven straight points, punctuated by a three-pointer from sophomore guard Don Trifari (Towaco, NJ/Paul Robeson), for a 52-45 advantage with eight minutes to play. But East Stroudsburg regained the lead with an 11-2 run, then wrapped up the game by scoring 13 of the final 15 points of contest, including seven points from Terrance King. The Cougars, who trailed 60-58 before the final run, missed their final four field goal attempts over the last 3:30.

Junior guard Antonio Brimley (Paterson, NJ/Paterson Eastside) led Caldwell with 12 points and five rebounds, while Badger recorded four assists and two steals to go with four points. King and Duane Johnson each had 11 points, with Marcus Brown taking home Player of the Game honors with 10 points and seven rebounds. Mike Tobin grabbed 10 boards to help the Warriors build a 44-31 advantage on the glass.

In the other men's game at the ECAC Holiday Classic, Adelphi University defeated Dominican College 57-38. Richard Byrd tallied 18 points and eight rebounds to receive the Player of the Game award.

Caldwell plays in the Dominican College Tournament on Jan. 2-3 in Orangeburg, N.Y.