CALDWELL, N.J. – The Caldwell University men's basketball team earned a key Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over Felician College, 84-59 Wednesday evening in the George R. Newman Center. The Cougars improve to 11-10 overall and 7-6 in league play with the win, while the Golden Falcons fall to 3-16, 3-10 CACC.

Caldwell held a narrow 26-24 edge with 8:15 left in the first half when a 9-0 run buoyed by the fourth three-pointer of the half from senior guard Kevin Walker (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) put the Cougars up, 35-24. A trey from junior guard Salvatore Vitello (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) helped Caldwell finish strong and take a 45-30 lead at the half. Walker had 14 points as the Cougars shot 51.6 percent from the field compared to 38.7 percent for Felician.

Momentum stayed with Caldwell into the second half, as the Cougars used a 15-5 run over the first nine minutes of the period to lead 60-35. The advantage grew to as many as 27 points, as the Golden Falcons never came closer than 18 points the rest of the way. Caldwell ended up shooting 50.0 percent from the floor for the game while holding Felician to 35.5 percent. The Cougars defeated the Golden Falcons, 63-60 in Rutherford, N.J., earlier this season.

Junior forward Billy McDonald (North Haven CT/North Haven) scored a team-high 18 points, with Walker and junior guard Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ/Kennedy) tallying 16 points apiece while delivering five and six assists, respectively. Senior forward Michael Balkovic (Neptune, NJ/St. John Vianney) grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds, while Vitello contributed nine points and four assists. J.R. Pringley scored 18 points to lead Felician.

Caldwell continues CACC play with a home game against Holy Family University on Saturday, Feb. 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.