Box Score
BLOOMFIELD, N.J. – The Caldwell College men's basketball team dropped a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game at Bloomfield College, 76-71 Tuesday evening at the Bloomfield Gym. The Cougars are now 7-19 overall and 3-14 in league play, while the Deacons improve to 13-12, 11-6 CACC.

Bloomfield took an early 15-7 lead before Caldwell used four points apiece from sophomore forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) and sophomore guard Wyatt Polk (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) in a 10-1 run to lead 17-16. The Cougars still led, 30-29 at the 5:20 mark before the Deacons closed out the half with an 11-6 run to take a 40-36 halftime advantage. Balkovic had 13 points and eight rebounds in the first half, while Kevin Udo tallied four of Bloomfield's seven blocks in the period.

Caldwell made a push early in the second half, tying the game at 44-44 following three-pointers from Polk and freshman guard Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ/Kennedy). The threes sparked a 15-6 Caldwell run over the first six minutes of the second half that gave the Cougars a 51-46 lead with 14:05 to play. The Deacons fought back and regained the lead with a 10-2 spree. The game remained close over the next 5:30, with Caldwell coming within one point four times. Leading 63-62, Bloomfield earned some breathing room with a basket by Matt Hall and two Marvin Williams free throws for a 67-62 bulge with 4:47 left. The Cougars came within three points twice but were unable to get any closer the rest of the way.

Polk led all players with 18 points, while Balkovic finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Lighty added 11 points and senior forward Kairo Rochford (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison) contributed 10 points and five rebounds off the bench. Williams had 16 points and Erik Sanders scored 15 points to pace Bloomfield, which made six threes compared to two for Caldwell for the game.

Caldwell concludes conference play at Concordia College on Saturday, Feb. 23. The game is set to begin at 3:00 p.m. in Bronxville, N.Y.