WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- Caldwell University men's basketball senior Derek Dorn (New Rochelle, N.Y.) dropped in a season-high 28 points to lead the Cougars to a 79-77 win over Palm Beach Atlantic University on their first leg of their Florida trip.
 
The Cougars earn their first victory of the season as they improve to 1-5 on the season, while the Sailfish drop to 4-4.
 
After falling behind 6-0, the Cougars roared back with a 14-2 run to pull ahead by six points. Sophomore Ruud Lutterman (Gorinchem, Netherlands) totaled four points in the rally, while sophomore Vaughn Covington (Sicklerville, N.J.) converted a three-point play. Sophomore Zay Jennings (Allentown, Pa.) added five points with his triple at the 12:39 mark putting Caldwell in front 14-8.
 
Palm Beach Atlantic rallied back as they pulled ahead 28-19 with six and a half minutes left in the opening half. Caldwell closed the half strong as they answered with a 17-6 run. Freshman Manley Dorme (Nanuet, N.Y.) kicked off the run with a three-point play, while Dorn scored seven points. Dorn drained a triple at the buzzer to give the Cougars a 36-34 lead at halftime.
 
The second half remained a tight contest as Caldwell took their largest lead of the game at 54-47 near the midway point. The Sailfish rattled off the next 10 points as they retook the lead at 57-54 with 8:23 left in the game.
 
Dorn tied the game with a triple 34 seconds later as they teams battled for control of the game down the stretch. The score was tied four times over the final eight minutes with the Cougars taking the lead for good in the final minute of play.
 
Dorn scored in the paint with 37 seconds remaining in the game to put Caldwell in front 72-71. The Cougars forced a turnover on the next possession and headed to the line down the stretch. Junior Ahmad Harrison (Newark, N.J.) drained three free throws, while Dorn and Covington each added two from the line to secure their first win.
 
Dorn shot 4-for-4 from downtown as he led the way with 28 points and four rebounds. Covington chipped in 11 points, six boards and four assists, while Jennings added 11 points. Dorme posted 11 points and four rebounds, while Harrison finished with seven points, five boards and three assists. Sophomore Ned Ogoemesim (Westampton, N.J.) totaled five rebounds and three steals.
 
The Cougars wrap up their Florida trip on Monday, November 27 as they face Nova Southeastern University at 6 pm.