OLD WESTBURY, N.Y.- Caldwell University men's basketball sophomore
Ned Ogoemesim (Westampton, N.J.) posted a double-double as the Cougars fell to NYIT 61-60 in non-conference action.
The Cougars fall to 0-3 on the season, while the Bears improve to 2-1.
NYIT jumped out to a 11-2 lead over the first eight minutes of the game. Caldwell rallied back with a 10-2 run to close the game to one point. Ogoemesim chipped in four points, while senior
Derek Dorn (New Rochelle, N.Y.) added three points in the run. Sophomore
AJ Kittles (Sicklerville, N.J.) drained a triple at the 8:05 mark as Caldwell pulled to within 13-12.
The Bears pushed their lead back to six points down the stretch but Caldwell late to cut the score to 25-24 with just over a minute to play. NYIT connected on a pair of free throws in the final seconds as the Cougars trailed 27-24 at halftime.
Caldwell rallied back to start the second half as they opened with a 16-8 run to take a five-point lead. Sophomore
Zay Jennings (Allentown, Pa.) led the Cougars with eight points, including a trifecta in the run. Jennings drained a triple at the 13:09 mark to put Caldwell in the lead at 40-35.
NYIT answered to take a one-point lead as the teams traded leads over a three-minute stretch. Ogoemesim connected on a jumper with 8:11 left in the game to tie the score at 45.
The Bears retook the lead as they pushed out to a 54-47 lead with 4:04 remaining in the game. Caldwell had one final run left as Jennings connected on a triple with 2:13 left in the game to cut the score to 56-55. NYIT hit three free throws in the final minute but Jennings connected on three free throws in the final seconds to keep their deficit at one-point.
Ogoemesim posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. Junior
Ahmad Harrison (Newark, N.J.) tallied 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Dorn totaled eight points, three assists and two steals, while Jennings chipped in 14 points. Kittles finished with seven points and four boards.
The Cougars take on Molloy College on Friday, November 17 at 6 pm at the Daniel Sullivan Tournament hosted by Dominican College.
