CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University men's basketball shot 56% from the field and 64% from downtown in the second half as the Cougars pulled away from Mercy College 77-62 in non-conference action.
 
The Cougars improve to 5-2, while the Mavericks drop to 1-6.
 
The first half was highlighted by four lead changes and one tie. Mercy took the early advantage as they jumped out to an 8-2 lead. The Cougars ripped off the next 11 points to take a five-point lead. Freshman Ruud Lutterman (Gorinchem, Netherlands) netted six points in the rally to put Caldwell in the lead at 13-8 with 12:58 left in the half.
 
The Mavericks used a 17-6 run over the next eight minutes as they retook the lead at 25-19. Caldwell closed the half with seven unanswered points, capped by a tip-in from freshman AJ Kittles (Glassboro, N.J.) at the buzzer to put the Cougars up 26-25 at the break.
 
Mercy hit a pair of free throws to open the second half as they pushed back in front 27-26. Caldwell found the shooting touch as junior Derek Dorn (New Rochelle, N.Y.) answered on the ensuing possession with a triple to put the Cougars back in front for good.
 
The Cougars got hot from downtown as they shot 9-for-14 in the second half. Dorn connected on 3-of-4 from behind the arc, while freshman Daan Vianen (Nieuwegein, Netherlands) drained 4-for-6 from the outside. Caldwell built a 22-point lead late in the half and held a double digit lead to the final buzzer.
 
Vianen led the Cougars with a game-high 19 points, shooting 4-for-9 from downtown. Dorn tallied 18 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Lutterman finished with 11 points and 10 boards. Freshman Zay Jennings (Allentown, Pa.) chipped in 10 points, six boards, seven assists and two steals, while sophomore Ahmad Harrison (Newark, N.J.) posted seven points, four assists and three steals. Senior Austin Woods (Milford, Conn.) chipped in seven rebounds and two blocks, while senior Christian Ejiga (Laconia, N.H.) grabbed seven rebounds.
 
The Cougars host Dominican College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference clash on Wednesday, November 30 at 7:30 pm at the Newman Center.