Box Score CALDWELL, N.J. - For the second game in a row, the Caldwell College men's basketball team shot over 60 percent from the field in a 93-77 non-conference victory over Queens College Monday night in the George R. Newman Center. Sophomore forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) racked up 22 points and a career-high 19 rebounds for the Cougars, who are now 4-7 on the season. The Knights drop to 1-7 with the loss.

Caldwell led 26-10 midway through the first half, thanks in part to 10 points from sophomore guard Wyatt Polk (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield), who scored 33 points in Saturday's 105-73 win over Felician College. Queens cut the deficit to nine, 36-27 with five minutes left in the half before the Cougars went on a 17-7 tear to take a 53-34 bulge at the break. Freshman guard Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ/Kennedy), who had seven points in the run, scored 11 points in the first half, while Balkovic already had a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.

Caldwell maintained control of the game, eventually building its largest lead of the game following a three-pointer from sophomore guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) and three straight baskets by Polk that made it 79-55 with 7:27 to play. The Knights were able to pull to within 12 points with a 22-10 run over the next six minutes. But a basket by Balkovic and free throws from Walker wrapped up the Cougars' second win in a row.

After shooting 60.7 percent from the field against Felician, Caldwell scorched the nets at 61.5 percent versus Queens, including 14-of-21 (66.7 percent) in the second half. The performance marked the highest team field goal percentage for Caldwell since becoming an NCAA Division II member in 2002. The Cougars also won the battle around the basket, earning a 43-27 rebounding edge and out-scoring the Knights in the paint, 48-28. Queens was productive off turnovers, scoring 37 points after 25 Caldwell miscues.

Balkovic made nine of his 10 shots from the floor and grabbed 16 of his 19 boards on the defensive glass. Polk ended up with 21 points, Walker notched 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals, and senior forward Karel Thuwis (Zonhoven, Belgium/Brehm Prep) had 11 points and five rebounds. Patrick Parker led all players with 31 points that included five three-pointers.

The Cougars host Bloomfield College in a key Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 19. The game starts at 8:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.