EASTON, Mass. – The Caldwell University women's basketball team began the 2014-15 season with a narrow loss to Assumption College, 66-64 at the Stonehill Tip-off Classic Friday night at Merkert Gymnasium. The Cougars were 18-12 a year ago, while the Greyhounds posted an 18-11 mark in 2013-14. The loss marked the first game for the Cougars under new head coach Kristina Danella.

The first half was close until a 7-0 run put Assumption ahead, 35-28 with 2:39 left in the period. Caldwell answered with a basket by senior forward Emily Caswell (Wakefield, RI/Prout School) and five points from junior guard Nicole Angelo (Mount Laurel, NJ/Camden Catholic) to tie the score at 35-35 at the break. Junior forward Lisa Rovatsos (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) led all players with nine first-half points, while Caswell and Angelo had eight points apiece as the Cougars shot 50.0 percent from the field.

The second half saw eight lead changes and seven ties. Two layups from Rovatsos tied the score at 62-62 with three minutes to play, then a basket by Jo Impellizeri put the Greyhounds ahead, 64-62. After three empty possessions by each team, Caswell hit two free throws to tie the score at 64-64 with 27 seconds remaining. With time winding down, Assumption's Kelly Conley drove to the basket and made a layup with 0.4 seconds on the clock for the win.

Caswell led the Cougars with 24 points and nine rebounds while making 6-of-10 from the field and a perfect 12-of-12 from the charity stripe. Rovatsos contributed a career-high 17 points, shooting 8-of-9 from the floor. Angelo finished with 11 points, while freshman guard Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, NY/Christ the King) had four blocks, three assists and a steal in her first collegiate game. Conley led the Greyhounds with 14 points, three assists and three steals.

Caldwell wraps up play at the Stonehill Tip-Off Classic on Saturday, Nov. 15 against the host Skyhawks at 12:30 p.m.