BLOOMFIELD, N.J.- Sophomore
Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, NY) netted 20 points as the Caldwell University women's basketball team returned to the court in 2016 with a 74-65 loss to the Bloomfield College Bears in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action.
The Cougars fall to 8-6 overall and 4-2 in the CACC, while the Bears improve to 10-4 and 6-0 in conference play.
Caldwell took an early lead as sophomore
Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, MA) scored five points for the Cougars in the first three minutes of the contest. O'Driscoll converted a three-point play at the 7:09 mark of the opening quarter for a 9-2 Caldwell advantage.
The Bears netted the next nine points to take an 11-9 lead at the midway point of the quarter. Caldwell answered with a 14-5 run to retake the lead late in the opening quarter. Drogsler scored eight points, while junior
Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, NY) netted a pair of triples as the Cougars led 23-16 at the 1:11 mark.
Bloomfield rallied early in the second quarter as they took a two point lead at 25-23 at the 8:43 mark. The Cougars jumped back in front following a Pilla three-pointer with 4:27 left in the second quarter. The Bears retook the lead as they pulled ahead by 10 points late in the quarter. Sophomore
Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, MA) scored in the final seconds of the half as the Cougars trailed 42-34 at halftime.
Caldwell closed to within four points after a pair of Pilla triples early in the third quarter at 44-40. The teams traded points as the Bears extended their lead to six points early in the fourth quarter. The Cougars had one final run as they cut their deficit down to three points at 64-61 with 2:14 left in the game. Bloomfield scored the next six points and connected on six free throws in the final minute to hold off a Caldwell rally down the stretch.
For the Cougars, Drogsler tallied 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. O'Driscoll posted 13 points, six boards and three assists, while Sanders totaled 11 points, five rebounds and five steals. Pilla shot 5-for-7 from downtown as she finished with 17 points.
The Cougars continue CACC on Wednesday, January 6 as they travel to the University of the Sciences at 6 pm.