Caldwell Men's Basketball Loses at Dominican

Box Score ORANGEBURG, N.Y. – The Caldwell College men's basketball team started its Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference schedule with a 77-63 loss to Dominican College at the Hennessy Center Wednesday evening. The Cougars are now 3-5 overall and 0-1 in league play, while the Chargers improve to 5-2, 2-0 CACC.

Eight points from sophomore forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) and five from sophomore guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) helped Caldwell jump out to a 20-10 lead over the first 10 minutes of the game. Dominican battled back to eventually take a 32-31 edge late in the half, only to have sophomore guard Wyatt Polk (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) score four straight points for a 35-32 Caldwell lead at the break. The Chargers made six three-pointers in the first half but shot just 36.0 percent from the field overall compared to 43.3 percent for the Cougars.

A conventional three-point play by freshman guard Brian Kenny (Howell, NJ/Jackson Memorial) put Caldwell ahead 38-32. A 13-5 run by Dominican that included six points from Leon Porter gave the hosts a 45-43 lead with 13 minutes to play. After the lead changed hands twice, Polk's three-point play tied the score at 54-54 midway through the second half. The Chargers gradually took control of the game, building a 63-56 advantage with 5:24 to play, then closed out the game on a 14-7 run for the victory. Dominican shot 51.6 percent and out-rebounded the Cougars 24-11 in the second half.

Balkovic and Polk scored 17 points apiece, with Balkovic adding a team-high six rebounds. Kenny finished with a career-best 10 points to go with four assists. Porter led Dominican with 25 points, four assists and three steals, while Cory Quimby contributed 15 points and 16 boards.

Next up for the Cougars is another CACC battle against Post University on Tuesday, Dec. 4, beginning at 8:00 p.m. in Waterbury, Conn.

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