BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The Caldwell University men's basketball team came up short against Concordia College, losing 84-81 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game Wednesday night at the Meyer Athletic Center. The loss drops Cougars to 7-5 overall and 3-2 in league play, while the Clippers improve to 5-6, 2-2 CACC.

Concordia controlled play in the first half, leading by as many as 12 points before taking a 44-36 lead at halftime. The Clippers shot 63.3 percent from the field before halftime, including 6-of-10 from three-point range, as Jamie Holder scored 10 points. Senior forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) also had 10 points for Caldwell.

The Cougars opened the second half by scoring the first eight points to tie the score at 44-44 at the 17:33 mark. But Concordia regained upper hand, eventually using a 15-2 run that included two three-pointers from Jalen Heath to lead 64-50 with 11:20 on the clock. With the score 77-67 Clippers with just 2:23 remaining, Caldwell made a late push with a 10-2 run that made it a two-point game, 79-77 with 45 seconds left. But a three-pointer from Michael Fields with 15 seconds to play put the game out of reach.

The Cougars outscored Concordia at the free throw line, 28-8 but the Clippers hit 10 threes compared to three for Caldwell. Balkovic tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Cougars, while senior guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) scored 16 points in the loss. Junior guard Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ/Kennedy) had 14 points, including 11-of-15 from the line, and junior guard Brian Kenny (Howell, NJ/Jackson Memorial) contributed 10 points, five rebounds and three assists. Heath had 15 points and five steals, and Tshyrad Oates recorded 12 points and 12 boards to pace the Clippers.

Caldwell hosts Bentley University in a non-league game on Friday, Dec. 19. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the George R. Newman Center.