CALDWELL, N.J. – The Caldwell University women's basketball team lost a non-conference game to visiting Southern New Hampshire University, 73-69 Sunday afternoon in the George R. Newman Center. The Cougars end 2014 with a 7-7 record on the season, while the Penmen improve to 6-6.

Southern New Hampshire led by as many as eight points in the first half, including a 19-11 advantage with 12 minutes on the clock. Caldwell responded with a 13-2 run, punctuated by a three-pointer from junior guard Nicole Angelo (Mount Laurel, NJ/Camden Catholic), to lead 24-21 with 7:46 left in the half. The Penmen regained the upper hand later in the half on a three from Sara Ryan, eventually taking a 34-32 lead into the halftime break. Freshman guard Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, NY/Christ the King) scored nine points in the first half, while Vic Wiseman led the Penmen with 10 points.

The second half remained close, with eight ties and six lead changes. Caldwell used a 9-2 run, buoyed by six points from freshman forward Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, MA/Sharon), to pull ahead, 47-42 with 11:10 remaining. SNHU came back to tie the score, eventually taking a 63-59 advantage with 2:41 to play. After a lay-up by forward Emily Caswell (Wakefield, RI/Prout School) brought the Cougars to within two, Catherine Stinson hit a three-pointer with the shot clock about to expire for a 66-61 Penmen lead with 2:27 left. A pair of threes from Angelo helped Caldwell cut the deficit to two points twice, but SNHU made its free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

The Cougars, who came into the game averaging 22.6 free throw attempts per game, went to the line just 11 times on Sunday, making seven. The Penmen shot 45.2 percent from the field for the game compared to 38.2 percent for Caldwell. The loss marked the sixth defeat in seven games against Northeast 10 Conference opponents this season.

Caswell matched her career high with 18 rebounds to go with 19 points and two steals. Her 11 double-doubles are the most in all of Division II this season. Drogsler ended up with career highs of 11 points and six rebounds, while Angelo scored 11 points. O'Driscoll made it four Cougars in double-figures with 10 points and five rebounds, and senior guard Jessica Coscia (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic) dished out six assists to go with five points and two steals. Wiseman led all players with 23 points, while Erin Doherty contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds for SNHU.

Caldwell returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 3 with a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference home game against Chestnut Hill College. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.