Caldwell Men's Basketball Drops Opener at Bentley

Box Score WALTHAM, Mass. – The Caldwell College men's basketball team lost its first game of the 2012-13 season, falling to Bentley University, 78-71 at the Bentley Tip-Off Conference Challenge Friday night in the Dana Center. Sophomore forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Cougars, who were 14-12 a year ago.

Bentley took control of a close game by scoring 11 straight points midway through the first half to lead 26-16 with 11 minutes on the clock. The lead grew to as many as 21 points before Caldwell went on a 13-4 run over the final five minutes to make the halftime score 45-33 Bentley. Balkovic had five points in the run, while sophomore guard Wyatt Polk (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) scored a team-best nine points in the first half.

In the second half, the Cougars were able to keep the deficit under 10 points for most of the period. A basket by sophomore guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) brought Caldwell to within five, 73-68 with 1:34 remaining. But Jasper Grassa answered with a three-pointer, and two free throws from Tyler McFarland put the game out of reach. The Cougars shot 48.5 percent from the field in the second half and held a 22-11 rebounding advantage after halftime, but it was not enough to overcome the first-half deficit.

Balkovic also had four assists to go with his 22-point, 11-rebound performance. Walker hit 7-of-10 from the floor en route to 17 points. Polk finished with 13 points, five boards and three assists, while senior forward Arthur Morrison (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) tallied 10 points. Bentley's Alex Furness shot 10-of-12 from the field, including three three-pointers, and finished with a game-high 24 points.

The Cougars will face Merrimack College in their second game of the Bentley Tip-Off Conference Challenge on Saturday, Nov. 10. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.

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