RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Caldwell College men's basketball team suffered its first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference loss of the season, losing at Felician College, 76-71 Tuesday evening at Job Gym. The Cougars are now 2-1 in the conference and 5-2 overall, while the Golden Falcons improve to 1-6 overall, 1-2 CACC.
The first half remained close until Caldwell broke a 35-35 tie with an 8-0 run, including four points from senior guard Nik Otovic (Kraljevo, Serbia). Felician cut the deficit to three before a basket by freshman Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) sent the Cougars into the locker room with a 45-40 halftime advantage. Both teams shot better than 51 percent in the first half while combining to make 12 three-pointers.
Senior center Peter Diffley (Bellemore, NY/Episcopal) scored the first four points of the second half to give Caldwell its largest lead of the game, 49-40. Felician answered with a 14-4 spree to take a 54-53 lead with 13:14 on the clock. With the score tied at 58-58 midway through the second half, the Golden Falcons made their move, as a three-pointer from Anthony D. Green sparked a 12-2 run that put the hosts on top, 70-60 with 4:25 remaining in the game.
The Cougars weren't done, however, as freshman guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) made a pair of lay-ups and Otovic added three points to make the score 70-67 Felician with 1:45 left. Following a Will Thompson basket, Otovic hit two free throws, then converted a Walker steal into a lay-up to make it a one-point game, 72-71 with 48 seconds remaining. But the comeback fell just short, as Antoine Obery scored, then blocked Otovic on the other end to preserve the victory.
Caldwell made just 32.3 percent of its field goal attempts in the second half compared to 42.4 percent for Felician. Otovic ended up with 22 points to lead the Cougars, while Walker had 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Balkovic grabbed a team-best 10 boards to go with six points. John Tello paced Felician with 16 points.
Caldwell continues CACC play with a game at Concordia College on Thursday, Dec. 8, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Bronxville, N.Y.
