CALDWELL, N.J.- Sophomore Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, MA) totaled 17 points in the Caldwell University women's basketball 68-64 loss to Bloomfield College in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference North Division action on Saturday afternoon.
 
Caldwell's record falls to 19-8 overall, and 14-4 in their conference and clinch second place in the CACC North Division. The Bears are now 21-6 overall and 17-1 in their conference and have clinched the top spot in the North.
 
The Cougars started off with an 8-0 lead at the 8:30 mark of the opening quarter. Caldwell was paced early by triples from senior Nicole Angelo (Mt Laurel, NJ) and junior Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, NY). The Bears inched closer near the midway point of the quarter pulling even at 10-10. Caldwell held the edge after one quarter at 16-12.
 
The Cougars held a six point lead early in the second quarter but Bloomfield outscored the Cougars in the quarter 21-13 as the Bears took a 33-29 lead at halftime.
 
Bloomfield extended their lead to 10 points early in the third quarter and lead by double digits early into the fourth quarter. The Bears led by as much as 16 points at 57-41 with 4:18 left in the game. The Cougars closed the game with a flurry of points to excite the fans down the stretch. Sophomore Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, NY) netted a pair of triples to trim the score into single digits. Drogsler added a pair of free throws and Sanders scored on a fast break with under three minutes to play.
 
The final minute was a frenzy as Angelo drained a pair from downtown, while Pilla's triple with six seconds on the clock cut the score to one possession at 66-64. The Bears put the game out of reach with a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining as Bloomfield outlasted the Cougar run.
 
For the Cougars, Sanders led the way with 17 points, four boards, seven assists and two steals. Drogsler shot 3-for-5 from downtown, finishing with 13 points and three rebounds, while Angelo finished with 11 points, four boards, four assists and two steals. Sophomore Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, MA) chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while Pilla posted 10 points, three boards and two steals.
 
Today marked Senior Day for the Cougars. Angelo was honored for her positive contributions during her four-year career in a pregame ceremony at half-court and was presented with her 1,000 point ball, a milestone she reached last Saturday.
 
The Cougars take on Felician University on the road on Tuesday February 23 at 5:30 pm.