BLOOMFIED, N.J.- Caldwell University women's basketball junior Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, N.Y.) poured in a game-high 18 points as the Cougars outlasted Bloomfield College 56-42 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play.
 
Caldwell improves to 22-4 overall and 17-1 in the CACC, while the Bears fall to 19-7 and 16-2 in conference play.
 
The Cougars set the program record for victories in a season with their 22nd win of the year. They passed the previous mark of 21 wins that was accomplished five other times, including last season. For Head Coach Kristina Danella, the victory marks her 80th career coaching win with 62 coming with the Cougars.
 
With the win, the Cougars have the inside track to lock up the top seed in the North Division with a win over Concordia College on Tuesday night or with a Bloomfield loss to Dominican College.
 
Bloomfield jumped out to an early lead as they scored the first nine points of the game. The Cougars rallied back as they used a 14-5 run to pull even at 14 early in the second quarter. Junior Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, Mass.) and Drogsler each netted four points in the run. Sophomore Andie Lennon (Secaucus, N.J.) drained a triple, while senior Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, N.Y.) capped the run with a three-point play at the 8:29 mark of the second quarter to tie the score at 14.
 
The Bears answered to go back in front by four points at 20-16 with 6:38 to play in the second quarter. Caldwell responded with a trio of three-pointers. Pilla connected on one, while Drogsler drained a pair to push the Cougars into the lead at 25-20. Bloomfield scored six points in a row to retake a one-point lead. O'Driscoll connected on a pair of lay-ups in the final 1:05 to give Caldwell a 29-26 lead at halftime.
 
Caldwell pulled away in the third quarter as they outscored the Bears 20-8. Drogsler and Lennon each connected on trifectas in the quarter, while O'Driscoll added four points. Junior Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, Mass.) dropped in eight points to help the Cougars build a 49-34 lead heading to the final quarter.
 
Defenses dominated the fourth quarter as the teams combined for 15 points. The Cougars outlasted the Bears to retake sole possession of first place in the North Division.
 
Drogsler led the way with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Sanders posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards, while O'Driscoll finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Pilla tallied eight points, six rebounds and three assists, while Lennon totaled six points, three rebounds and four assists.
 
The NCAA released it first regional rankings of the season this past week with the Cougars coming in at #4 in the East Region. The top-8 teams in the region advance to the NCAA Division II Championship.
 
The Cougars conclude the regular season on Tuesday, February 21 as they host Concordia College for a CACC clash at 5:30 pm. Prior to the game, the Cougars will honor its graduating seniors.