PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- Senior Billy McDonald (North Haven, CT) netted a game-high 21 points to lead the Caldwell University men's basketball team to a 70-66 victory against the Chestnut Hill College Griffins in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game.
 
The Cougars improve to 8-14 overall and 6-9 in the CACC, while the Griffins drop to 9-13 and 6-8 in conference play.
 
The lead changes hands four times and was tied five times over the first eight minutes of play as the Griffins led 12-11 at the 12:24 mark. Caldwell found the shooting touch to close out the first half as they finished with a 31-13 lead to build a halftime advantage. Senior Dawan Lighty (Paterson, NJ) drained three triples in the run, while McDonald added five with a three-point play. Freshman Ned Ogoemesim (Westampton, NJ) chipped in seven points including a trifecta as Caldwell took a 42-25 lead into halftime.
 
The Cougars extended their lead to 20 points early in the second half at 55-35 with 14 minutes left in the game. Chestnut Hill chipped away as they closed to within six points at 63-57 with 3:07 to play. Senior Salvatore Vitello (Bridgewater, NJ) drained a triple to push the Cougar leas back to nine points at the 2:37 mark. C
 
Chestnut Hill rallied down the stretched as they pulled to within two points at 68-66 with 12 seconds to play. Vitello iced the game with a pair of free throws with eight seconds on the clock to give Caldwell their second win in a row.
 
For the Cougars, McDonald shot 9-for-13 from the field, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Lighty shot 4-for-9 from downtown as he totaled 17 points and two assists. Vitello posted 10 points, three boards and four assists, while Ogoemesim recorded a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
 
The Cougars return home to the Newman Center on Saturday, February 13 as they face Goldey-Beacom College in a CACC clash at 3 pm.