CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's basketball junior
Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, N.Y.) turned in a double-double effort but the #13 Cougars fell short to Malone University 79-73 in non-conference action.
The Cougars fall to 9-2 on the season, while the Pioneers improve to 5-4.
Malone took the early lead as they went ahead by as much as five points at 14-9 late in the opening quarter. Caldwell rallied with 13-2 run that stretched into the second quarter. Junior
Maura Kelty (Barrington, R.I.) connected on a jumper and a three-pointer to start the Cougars rally. Senior
Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, N.Y.) tied the game at 16 with 2:42 left in the first quarter.
Junior
Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, Mass.) hit two shots from the free throw line, while Drogsler scored late in the quarter. Drogsler added two free throws early in the second quarter as Caldwell pulled ahead 22-16.
Drogsler and Pilla each netted a trifecta in the quarter as the Cougars led 34-25 with 1:59 on the clock. The Pioneers rallied late as they closed to gap but Caldwell led 37-32 at halftime.
Caldwell got off to a strong start in the third quarter as they built a double-digit lead. Drogsler tallied 13 points in the quarter to help the Cougars take a 57-43 lead with 3:49 on the clock.
Malone chipped away to close out the third quarter as they cut the score down to 61-54 heading to the final 10 minutes. Pilla connected on a triple early in the fourth quarter to keep the Cougars ahead by seven points at 64-57.
The Pioneers rallied past the Cougars over the final seven minutes of the game. Malone tied the game at 66 with 4:26 remaining and pulled ahead 76-68 with under a minute to play. Drogsler hit a triple, while junior
Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, Mass.) scored in the paint but the comeback fell short.
Drogsler posted a double-double with 27 points and 13 rebounds. She added eight assists, two blocks and four steals. Pilla connected on three triples as she finished with 13 points. Kelty chipped in 12 points and four rebounds. Sanders tallied eight points, six boards, five assists and two steals.
The Cougars host Southern Connecticut St. University on Sunday, December 18 at noon at the Newman Center.
