CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College women's basketball team overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Concordia College, 73-60 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game Thursday evening in the George R. Newman Center. The victory moves the Cougars to 9-6 on the season and 5-3 in the conference, while the Clippers fall to 1-15, 1-7 CACC.

Caldwell trailed for most of the first half, as the Clippers used an 8-0 run to build a 26-16 advantage with 2:26 left in the half. The Cougars were 0-of-6 from the field and committed seven turnovers in the run as Concordia posted its largest lead of the game. Senior forward Kate Shutz (Edison, NJ/Edison) ended the drought with a lay-up with 22 seconds on the clock to make the halftime score 26-18 in favor of the visiting Clippers. Shutz led all scorers with seven points in the half, while Dana Rommel and Amanda Eggink each had six points for Concordia.

The Cougars started the second half with a 9-0 run, including five points from freshman guard Torey Jones (N. Providence, RI/LaSalle), that gave Caldwell its first lead since midway through the first half, 27-26. The lead exchanged hands five times, with Shari Cordero's free throws putting the Clippers on top 35-34 with 13:39 remaining. A conventional three-point play by Jones capped seven straight points to give Caldwell a 41-35 advantage. The lead grew to 11 points at the 4:21 mark on a three-pointer by junior guard Kirsty Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Acad.) that put the Cougars ahead 60-49. The Clippers got no closer than eight points the rest of the way, as Caldwell won for the sixth time in seven games.

After shooting 30.8 percent from the field in the first half, the Cougars made 54.5 percent (18-of-33) in the second half to fuel the comeback. Caldwell also enjoyed a 42-34 advantage on the glass.

Leedham scored 20 points and had eight rebounds, four steals and two assists to lead Caldwell. Jones finished with 15 points, nine boards and four assists, while freshman forward Ebony Thomas (Jersey City, NJ/Marist) recorded 12 points and eight rebounds. Shutz (pictured) equaled her career high with nine points. Junior guard Abena George (Elmont, NY/Elmont Memorial) was effective at both ends of the court, dishing out eight assists while swiping four steals. Shelley Monahan and Cordero each scored 14 points to pace Concordia, which is in its first season as a member of the CACC.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday, Jan. 23 with a home game against Goldey-Beacom College. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.