Box Score
LAKEWOOD, N.J. – The Caldwell College men's basketball team defeated Georgian Court University, 89-77 in the first meeting between the two programs Saturday afternoon at the GCU Wellness Center. The victory is the 400th at Caldwell for head coach Mark A. Corino, who now has a record of 400-332 in 26 seasons with the Cougars. Caldwell improves to 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, while the Lions, who are competing in their first season of men's basketball, are now 2-7, 0-3 CACC.

With the Cougars clinging to a 33-30 lead late in a tight first half, Caldwell reeled off a 19-3 run to take a commanding 52-33 advantage at the break. The run started with consecutive threes from junior guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) and sophomore guards Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ/Kennedy) and Salvatore Vitello (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan), and included six points from junior forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney).

Caldwell never put the Lions away but stayed in control of the game, as Georgian Court came within eight points twice in the second half but never threatened. The Cougars held the Lions to 39.4 percent shooting in the second half and enjoyed a 44-36 rebounding edge, including 15 boards on the offensive glass.

Balkovic led all scorers with 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and had three assists. Junior guard Wyatt Polk (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) also had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Lighty finished with 17 points and four assists. Sophomore forward Billy McDonald (North Haven, CT/North Haven) added 14 points and four rebounds. Georgian Court was led by Keith Hughes with 21 points and seven boards.

Corino now has 495 victories in his 31-year career, which includes five seasons at Bloomfield College. He ranks third all-time among men's college basketball coaches in New Jersey, behind only current Richard Stockton College coach Gerry Matthews (539) and longtime Princeton University coach Pete Carril (514).

Caldwell hosts Concordia College on Wednesday, Dec. 18 in a CACC contest, beginning at 8:00 p.m. in the George R. Newman Center.