OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – The Caldwell University men's basketball team used clutch free throw shooting to defeat the host Bears, 95-90 in overtime at the NYIT Tournament Friday night at Recreation Hall. The victory gives the Cougars a 3-1 record on the season, while the Bears fall to 0-4.

After trailing 28-26 with four minutes left in the first half, Caldwell closed out the period on a 13-3 run to take a 39-31 advantage at the halftime break. Senior forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) tallied nine points in the run, including a three-pointer, and totaled 11 points and nine boards in the first half.

With the lead still eight, 52-44 at the 15-minute mark of the second half, two threes from Darian Hooker and another by Kayvon Williams sparked an 11-3 Bears run that tied the score at 55-55 with 12:25 remaining. The Cougars were able to push the lead back up to nine following a layup by junior forward Billy McDonald (North Haven, CT/North Haven) that made the score 68-59 with seven minutes to play. But four three-pointers, including two by Williams, brought NYIT back with a 19-8 spree that put the hosts ahead for the first time in the second half, 78-76 with just 13 seconds left. A missed free throw prevented the Bears from taking a three-point lead, and junior guard Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ/Kennedy) took advantage with two free throws to tie the score at 78-78. On their last possession, the Bears came up empty from long range, as regulation ended with the score tied.

In overtime, the game was knotted at 82-82 when Lighty drained a three with two minutes on the clock. Lighty followed a missed three by Williams with two free throws, then senior guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) hit a jumper after a Bears' turnover to give Caldwell an 89-82 bulge with less than a minute to play. Two more NYIT three-pointers gave the Bears hope, but free throws kept the Cougars ahead until time expired.

For the second straight game, Caldwell had to overcome a long-range attack as NYIT made 16 three-pointers. On Wednesday, Molloy hit 15 threes in the Cougars' 80-77 win. Tonight, Caldwell answered by going to the free throw line 26 times after halftime, making 23, including a perfect 10-of-10 in overtime. Lighty finished with a team-high 22 points and three steals while hitting all 10 of his attempts from the charity stripe. Walker scored 21 points, while Balkovic registered 20 points and 17 rebounds for his third double-double in four games this season. McDonald added 17 points and seven rebounds, with junior guard Brian Kenny (Howell, NJ/Jackson Memorial) contributing five points, three assists and three steals. Hooker led all players with 34 points, and Williams ended up with 24 points for NYIT.

The Cougars will wrap up play at the NYIT Tournament with a game on Saturday, Nov. 22 against defending East Region champion Southern Connecticut State, which is ranked second nationally. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. in Old Westbury, N.Y.