CALDWELL, N.J.- Junior
Derek Dorn (New Rochelle, N.Y.) dropped in a season-high 29 points but the Caldwell University men's basketball team came up short to the University of Bridgeport 87-83 in a non-conference match-up.
The Cougars fall to 4-2 overall, while the Purple Knight improve to 3-2.
Caldwell got off to a fast start as they opened up with a 15-6 lead in the first five minutes. Freshman
Zay Jennings (Allentown, Pa.) drained a pair of triples, while sophomore
Ahmad Harrison (Newark, N.J.) added one from downtown. Dorn dropped in four points as the Cougars took a nine point lead.
The Purple Knights chipped away as they tied the score at 21 with 9:23 left in the opening half. Bridgeport took the lead, pulling ahead by as much at 10 points before Caldwell closed to gap to five points at halftime. Dorn drained a pair from long range in the final four minutes, while Harrison five points late in the half as Caldwell trailed 44-39 at the break.
The Cougars battled early in the second half as they trailed in the mid-single digits for most of the half. Bridgeport pushed ahead by as much as 11 points at 81-70 with 3:10 left in the game.
Caldwell raced back with a 13-3 run to close the gap down to a point with under a minute remaining in the game. Dorn connected on a fast-break hoop and hit a pair at the charity stripe, while freshman
Daan Vianen (Nieuwegein, Netherlands) drained a triple with 15.7 seconds on the clock to cut the score to 84-83. The Purple Knights hit 3-for-4 at the line in the final 10 seconds to hold on for the win.
For the Cougars, Dorn led the way with 29 points along with eight boards, seven assists and three steals. He shot 10-for-13 from the free throw line. Harrison chipped in 12 points and two steals, while Jennings finished with 11 points and five boards. Woods totaled 10 points and two boards, while freshman
Ruud Lutterman (Gorinchem, Netherlands) contributed six points and six rebounds.
The Cougars are back in action on Monday, November 28 as they host Mercy College at 7:30 pm at the Newman Center.
