CALDWELL, N.J.- Senior
Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ) netted 14 points as the Caldwell University men's basketball team fell to division leader Bloomfield College by a score of 80-57 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match-up. Prior to the game, Caldwell's five graduating seniors were recognized for their positive contributions to the university.
The Cougars fall to 9-16 overall and 7-11 in the CACC, while the Bears improve to 13-12 and 12-6 in conference play.
The teams traded leads over the first few minutes of play as Caldwell pulled ahead 23-15 with 12:08 left in the opening half. Lighty paced the Cougars early with a trio of three-pointers, while freshman
Ahmad Harrison (Newark, NJ) added one from downtown.
Bloomfield rallied with 21 of the next 24 points in the game as they jumped in front 36-26 at the 3:20 mark. The Cougars rallied late but trailed 43-34 at the break.
The Bears scored the first four points of the second half to push ahead by 13 points but the Cougars rallied back. Caldwell went on an 11-3 run as Lighty and senior
Brian Kenny (Howell, NJ) each netted four points, while senior
Billy McDonald (North Haven, CT) added a three-point play to trim the score down to 50-45 at the 13:30 mark. Bloomfield answered with a run to push their lead into double digits and lead the rest of the way.
For the Cougars, Lighty shot 5-for-10 from the field and 3-for-5 from downtown, totaling 14 points and four boards. Kenny totaled nine points, two rebounds and three steals, while McDonald scored nine points. Harrison chipped in eight points, three rebounds and three assists, while freshman
Ned Ogoemesim (Westampton, NJ) posted six points and four rebounds. Senior
Salvatore Vitello (Bridgewater, NJ) dished out four assists and recorded a pair of steals.
The Cougars honored its five seniors as Kenny, Lighty, McDonald,
Vin O'Beirne (Wood-Ridge, NJ) and Vitello were recognized with their families in a half-court ceremony prior to the tip-off.
The Cougars wrap up their season on the road as they travel to Felician University on Tuesday, February 23 at 8 pm in a CACC North Division battle.
