SYRACUSE, N.Y.- Sophomore
Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, MA) led the way with 17 points to help the Caldwell University women's basketball team remain unbeaten as they defeated the Le Moyne College Dolphins 69-62 to wrap up the CACC/NE-10 Challenge at host Le Moyne.
The Cougars remain unbeaten on the season at 2-0, while Dolphins fall to 1-1 on the season.
Caldwell took control early in the contest as they build a 17-7 lead late in the opening quarter. The strong start was capped by an 11-0 run to push ahead by 10 points with three and half minutes left in the first quarter. Sophomore
Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, MA) converted a three-point play, while sophomore
Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, NY) drained a triple to cap the run.
The Cougars extended their lead to as much as nine early in the second quarter following a triple by senior
Nicole Angelo (Mt. Laurel, NJ). The Dolphins trimmed the lead to one point with 4:37 left in the quarter but the Cougars netted the final six points including four from junior
Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, NY) to put Caldwell up 33-26 at halftime.
Caldwell started the second half strong as they opened the third quarter on a 12-3 run to extend their lead to 45-29 at the midway point. The Cougars pushed ahead by as much as 21 points but maintained a double-digit lead at 58-40 heading into the final 10 minutes.
Le Moyne rallied in the final quarter as they cut the lead to single digits midway through the quarter. The Dolphins slice their deficit down to a one possession game at 65-62 with 1:27 left in the game. O'Driscoll netted a lay-up on the ensuing Caldwell possession and the Cougars hit a pair from the line in the final minute to seal the win.
For the Cougars, Sanders led the way with 17 points and six steals, while Drogsler added 14 points and four boards. O'Driscoll chipped in 14 points and eight caroms, while Angelo finished with eight points and three assists.
Caldwell travel to St. Thomas Aquinas College on Tuesday, November 17 for a 6 pm tip off against the Spartans.
