BRONXVILLE, N.Y.- Junior Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, N.Y.) tallied 18 points as the Caldwell University women's basketball team held off a late rally to defeat Concordia College 64-56 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play.
 
The Cougars improve their record to 9-1 overall and 5-0 in the CACC, while the Clippers drop to 2-7 and 2-2 in conference play.
 
Caldwell raced out to a 10-4 lead as they led 19-11 after the opening quarter. Junior Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, Mass.) netted nine points in the quarter with a triple to lead the Cougars.
 
The Cougars added to their lead in the second quarter as they pushed their lead into double digits. Senior Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, N.Y.) netted eight points in the quarter, while Drogsler netted five points in the final three minutes as Caldwell took a 36-23 lead.
 
Concordia netted a late free throw as the Cougars held a 36-24 lead at halftime. Pilla shot 4-for-5 in the first half and 2-for-3 from downtown, netting 12 points. Sanders hit all five of her first half shots, including a triple, totaling 11 points to help Caldwell build a double digit first half lead.
 
Caldwell pulled away in the third quarter as they took their largest lead of the game at 46-30 late in the quarter. Concordia closed to within 10 points at 48-38 at the end of the quarter.
 
The Clippers rallied to start the fourth quarter as they cut the score down to two points at 48-46 with eight minutes to play in the game. The Cougars answered with the next nine points as Drogsler drained a triple, while junior Maura Kelty (Barrington, R.I.) added four and Pilla hit two at the line to push ahead by 11 points.
 
Caldwell held off a late Concordia rally as the Clippers got as close as four points in the final minute. Kelty hit four free throws in the final minute, while Pilla (1-for-2) and junior Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, Mass.) (2-for-2) also connected from the charity stripe to keep the Cougars unbeaten in conference play.
 
Drogsler led the way with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. Pilla shot 7-for-8 from the free throw line, finishing with 17 points. Kelty totaled 15 points and seven boards, while Sanders tallied 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. O'Driscoll tied for the team lead in rebounds with eight.

The Cougars are back at home on Friday, December 16 as they host Malone University at the Newman Center at 6 pm.