CALDWELL, N.J. – The Caldwell University men's basketball team overcame deficits of five points in the first overtime period and six points in the second overtime to beat Chestnut Hill, 88-84 in triple overtime Saturday afternoon in the George R. Newman Center. The Cougars (8-6) improve to 4-2 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference with the win, while the Griffins fall to 3-9, 2-3 CACC.

Caldwell led by 13 near the end of the first half before three-pointers from Luke Dickson and Billy Cassidy brought Chestnut Hill to within five, 31-26 at halftime. Baskets by junior forward Billy McDonald (North Haven, CT/North Haven) and senior forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) to open the second half pushed the lead up to 35-26. But the Griffins did not back down, keeping the Cougars within six points over the last 10 minutes of the half.

After a pair of free throws by junior guard Salvatore Vitello (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) gave Caldwell a 55-49 advantage with 4:11 remaining, a three-pointer and two free throws from Dickson brought Chestnut Hill to within one, 55-54 with 2:45 left. Junior guard Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ/Kennedy) answered with a three, then Seamus Radtke's basket with 40 seconds to play made the score 58-56 Caldwell. Following an empty possession from the Cougars, Demetrius Isaac drove the lane with time running down and made a layup with 1.7 seconds on the clock to tie the score at 58-58 and send the game into overtime.

Momentum stayed with the visitors into the extra session, as Dickson hit a three and Radtke made a layup for a 63-58 Griffins lead. Lighty responded with a three, then followed a Chestnut Hill basket with another three while being fouled. He hit the ensuing free throw for a rare four-point play to tie the score at 65-65 with 2:24 left. Caldwell went 2-of-4 from the line and surrendered a three-pointer by Cassidy that put Chestnut Hill on top, 68-67 with 34 seconds remaining. After Cassidy made 1-of-2 from the line, McDonald made a layup off a pass from Vitello to tie the score at 69-69. McDonald then stole the ball on the Griffins' final possession to force a second overtime.

Again Chestnut Hill started fast, building a 78-72 advantage with 3:09 to play. But the Cougars held the Griffins to one free throw and a basket by senior guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) capped a 7-1 Caldwell run to tie the score at 79-79 and extend the game to a third overtime period. This time it was the Cougars' turn to take the lead, as Lighty converted a layup and two free throws for an 83-79 edge over the first two minutes of the period. The Griffins came within one, 83-82 before the Caldwell defense tightened up with three straight stops. Balkovic hit two free throws and McDonald made a layup for an 87-82 lead with 29 seconds left. Noel Hightower ended the drought for Chestnut Hill, but it was not enough as the Cougars closed out the game for the win.

Caldwell shot 50.0 percent from the field after regulation while holding the Griffins to 38.1 percent. Lighty led the way with 24 points, including four three-pointers, and two steals. Balkovic registered 22 points, 17 rebounds and a career-high six assists while shooting 8-of-10 from the field. McDonald contributed 17 points, six boards and two steals, while Vitello added eight points, seven assists and three steals. Dickson led Chestnut Hill with five three-pointers and 23 points, and Cassidy finished with 17 points in the loss.

Caldwell continues CACC play with a meeting against Post University on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.