Box Score
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Caldwell College men's basketball team defeated Slippery Rock University, 73-66 in the semifinals of the ECAC Division II Tournament, held at Fairfield University's Alumni Hall. The Cougars improve to 17-11 on the season and advance to Sunday's ECAC championship game, while the Rock ends its season at 20-11.

Caldwell opened the first half with a 13-6 lead over the first six minutes of the game, with junior guards Wyatt Polk (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) and Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) hitting threes. The rest of the half remained close, with neither team leading by more than four points over the final 13 minutes. Slippery Rock took a 34-30 lead with less than a minute to go in the half on a three-pointer by SaQuan Davis. Polk answered with a basket with 32 seconds left to make the halftime score 34-32 Slippery Rock.

With the Rock leading 41-38 with 13:23 remaining, Caldwell reeled off nine straight points to pull ahead, 47-41 with 10:43 on the clock. Sophomore forward Terik Bridgeman (Harlem, NY/Nia Prep) had five points and sophomore forward Billy McDonald (North Haven, CT/North Haven) scored four in the key run. A three-pointer by Polk at the seven-minute mark gave the Cougars their largest lead, 57-47. Slippery Rock came within five points, 62-57 with 4:25 left, only to have Caldwell push the lead up to nine, 68-59 with 2:20 to play.

The Rock was able to get as close as five points in the final minute of the game, but the Cougars held on for a 73-66 victory. Caldwell went to the line 35 times, making 27, compared to 21-of-27 for Slippery Rock.

Five Cougars scored in double figures, led by Polk with 18 points and McDonald with 14 points. Bridgeman and junior forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) both registered 11 points and eight rebounds, with Bridgeman adding two blocks. Walker finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Maurice Lewis-Briggs led Slippery Rock with 17 points and eight boards.

The Cougars will play either Dominican College or Lincoln University in the ECAC championship game on Sunday, Mar. 16 at 4:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall.

Clcik here to view the postgame press conference with Coach Corino and Wyatt Polk