CALDWELL, N.J. - Four players scored in double figures as the Caldwell College men's basketball team defeated Dowling College, 92-56 in a non-conference game Wednesday evening in the George R. Newman Center. The lopsided victory helps the Cougars close out 2011 with an 8-4 record on the season, while the Golden Lions fall to 2-5.

Caldwell jumped out of the gate fast, opening the game with a 17-0 run over the first five minutes to take control. Dowling came back to make it an eight-point game, 28-20 with five minutes left in the first half. But a double-technical foul called on Dowling's Leon Taylor allowed the Cougars to start a 20-6 run to close out the half with a 48-26 advantage. Junior forward Arthur Morrison (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) hit 5-of-6 from the line as a result of the fouls on Taylor, who was ejected, and freshman forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) scored seven points in the run, which was capped by a three-pointer at the buzzer from senior guard Nik Otovic (Kraljevo, Serbia).

Senior guard Don Trifari (Towaco, NJ/Paul Robeson), pictured, opened the second half with a three-pointer, and the Cougars never looked back. The Golden Lions never came closer than 24 points in the second half, as Caldwell led by as many as 37 points. The Cougars drained eight threes on 11 attempts (72.7 percent) in the second half while shooting 64.0 percent from the field after halftime. For the game, Caldwell hit a season-high 12 three-pointers and dominated the boards 45-26.

Otovic finished with a game-high 16 points to go with six assists, while Balkovic notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Also reaching double figures was Morrison with 14 points and eight boards, and freshman guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) with 11 points, four assists and two steals. Senior guard Anthony Gill (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) dished out five assists to help the Cougars record a season-best 23 assists. Dowling was led by Austin Corwin with 14 points, five assists and three steals.

The Cougars return to action on Thursday, Jan. 5 with a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest against Concordia College at home. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.