CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College men's basketball team dropped a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game to Post University, 80-67 Tuesday night in the George R. Newman Center. The defeat gives the Cougars an overall record of 4-22 on the season, including a 3-14 mark in league play, while the Eagles improve to 11-16, 7-9 CACC.

Post held the upper hand for most of the first half, leading by as many as nine points before the Cougars were able to earn a 27-25 lead on a three-pointer by freshman guard Cameron Badger (Trenton, NJ/Living Faith Christian) at the 6:18 mark. The Eagles outscored Caldwell 15-9 to end the half with a 40-36 advantage at the break. Both teams were 15-of-30 from the field in the first half, with the Cougars hitting 4-of-7 from three-point range.

Caldwell pulled to within one point twice in the beginning stages of the second half. But a three-pointer by Rashamell Vereen sparked a 15-2 run that put Post on top 59-45 with 14 minutes to play. The run included four steals by the Eagles, who scored four points off the thefts. The Cougars pulled to within six following a steal and lay-up by freshman guard Robert McPherson (Bowie, MD/Bullis) made the score 71-65 at the 4:32 mark. But three straight baskets by Post, including two from Spencer Smith, put the Eagles ahead 77-65 and out of reach.

Post recorded 16 steals compared to four for Caldwell and scored 27 points off 21 Caldwell turnovers. The Eagles also took twice as many free throws (24 to 12) while outscoring the Cougars in the paint, 42-12.

Sophomore guard Malcolm Austin (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers) led the Cougars with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Sophomore center Peter Diffley (Bellerose, NY/Episcopal) added 14 points and nine rebounds. Post received big games from Smith (27 points, seven steals), Nyheem Sanders (22 points) and Trevon Hamlet (19 points, three blocks) in earning a season split with Caldwell.

Caldwell honored its two seniors, Matt Cohen (Forked River, NJ/Manasquan) and John Reed (Wall, NJ/Wall) before the game as a part of Senior Night.

The Cougars complete the 2009-2010 season on Saturday, Feb. 27 with a home game against Bloomfield College. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the Newman Center.