EASTON, Mass. - The Caldwell College men's basketball team began the 2010-11 season with a 59-42 loss to Stonehill College at the Stonehill Tip-Off Classic Friday night in Merkert Gymnasium. The Cougars start the season 0-1 for the third straight year, while the Skyhawks, the defending Northeast-10 Conference regular-season champions, start the year 1-0.

Stonehill broke a 12-12 tie with a 7-0 run for a 19-12 lead midway through the first half. Senior forward Antonio Brimley (Paterson, NJ/Paterson Eastside) made a pair of baskets to spark an 8-2 run for Caldwell that cut the deficit to one, 21-20. But the host Skyhawks closed out the half by scoring nine of the final 11 points, capped by a three-pointer by Brian Hamor, to take a 30-22 advantage into halftime.

Junior guard Don Trifari (Towaco, NJ/Paul Robeson) opened the second half with a lay-up and a three-pointer to make the score 30-27 Stonehill two minutes into the half. Six points from Daniel Heppert helped the Skyhawks build their largest lead to that point with a 9-2 run that put Stonehill up 39-29 with 13:21 to play. Sophomore forward Arthur Morrison (Phillipsburg, NJ/APEX) tallied six points in an 8-2 run to pull the Cougars to within four, 41-37 at the 10:20 mark of the second half. But the Skyhawks, who advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA East Region Tournament last season, put the game away during the final 10 minutes, making seven of their next 10 shots from the floor while allowing only five points, all on free throws, the rest of the way. Patrick Lee, who led all players with 18 points, scored five points during the 18-5 run.

Morrison had a solid debut for the Cougars, recording a double-double with 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and a game-high 12 rebounds. He also had three blocks. Brimley, pictured, added six points and four rebounds, while freshman guard Patrick O'Connell (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) had five points and three steals. Caldwell held a 43-39 rebounding advantage but was plagued by poor shooting, making 17-of-60 (28.3 percent) from the field for the game. Stonehill went to the free throw line 21 times compared to eight for Caldwell.

The Cougars continue play at the Tip-Off Classic with a game against St. Michael's College on Saturday, Nov. 13. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. at Merkert Gymnasium.