ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y.- Sophomore Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, NY) totaled 12 points to help the Caldwell University women's basketball team finish 2015 on a positive note as they defeated the Molloy College Lions 61-60.
 
The Cougars improve to 8-5 overall, while the Lions fall to 2-9.
 
Molloy took a 10-4 lead over the first four minutes of the opening quarter. The Cougars netted the next seven points to pull ahead 11-10. Sophomore Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, MA) connected from downtown, while Drogsler and junior Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, NY) each scored two points to put Caldwell in the lead with 3:40 left in the quarter.
 
The Lions used a 10-2 run to retake a seven point lead early in the second quarter and held a 24-19 lead with 5:21 remaining. The Cougars finished the half strong as they closed on a 12-4 to take a halftime lead. Sophomore Maura Kelty (Barrington, RI) scored seven points, including a triple, while Pilla and freshman Andie Lennon (Secaucus, NJ) each scored two points to give Caldwell a 31-28 lead at the break.
 
The Cougars extended their lead to as much as seven points in the third quarter at 44-37. The Lions battled back as they evened the score at 46-46 early in the fourth quarter. Drogsler and sophomore Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, MA) scored buckets to put Caldwell back in front by four points.
 
Molloy pulled even for the final time at 54-54 with 5:06 left in the game. Drogsler and Pilla put the Cougars back ahead by four points as Caldwell held off the Lions down the stretch.
 
For the Cougars, Drogsler led the way with 12 points and five boards, while Pilla finished with 11 points. Sanders tallied seven points, six assists and four rebounds, while Kelty totaled seven points, seven boards and three assists. O'Driscoll posted eight points and eight rebounds.
 
The Cougars are back in action on Sunday, January 3 as they travel to Bloomfield College for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match-up at 1 pm.