CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's basketball junior Maura Kelty (Barrington, R.I.) turned in a career day as the Cougars overcame a double-digit halftime deficit to defeat Philadelphia University 62-49 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championship Quarterfinals. The Cougars advance to championship weekend hosted at Caldwell's Newman Center where they will face N#3 Dominican College in the semifinals on Saturday.
 
The Cougars improve to 24-4 on the season, while the Rams end their season at 14-15.
 
The Rams got off to a strong start as they built a 14-6 lead late in the opening quarter. Caldwell battled back with an 8-2 run to closed the gap to 16-14 early in the second quarter.
 
Philadelphia used a 17-4 run in the second quarter as they extended their lead into double digits. The Rams led by as much as 15 points at 33-18 with 1:47 left in the first half. Kelty drained a triple close to the buzzer but the Cougars trailed 33-21 at halftime.
 
Caldwell rallied to start the second half as they used a 17-2 run over the first seven minutes to take the lead for good. Junior Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, Mass.) tallied four points, while Kelty chipped in four points in the comeback. Senior Antoinette Pilla (Scarsdale, N.Y.) drained the go-ahead triple at the 4:24 mark to put the Cougars in front 36-35. The Rams kept the score close over the final four minutes but Caldwell held a 42-41 lead heading into the final quarter.
 
The Cougars pulled away in the fourth quarter as they opened with a 14-3 run to push their lead into double figures. Kelty drained a triple and totaled seven points in the run. Sanders added four points including a steal and a fast-break bucket to give Caldwell some breathing room. CACC Player of the Year junior Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, N.Y.) converted a three-point play with 4:27 left in the game to push the Cougars lead to 56-42. Caldwell held off the Rams down the stretch to advance to next weekend's final four.
 
Kelty posted a career day as she recorded her first double-double in a Cougar uniform. She shot 10-for-14 from the field and 3-for-5 from downtown as she tallied 26 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Sanders chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Drogsler tied a career-high with five blocks, while Pilla finished with nine points. Sophomore Andie Lennon (Secaucus, N.J.) totaled six points, three boards, five assists and four steals.
 
The Cougars remain among the top teams in the region as they held their #4 ranking in the current NCAA Division II East Region poll. The final poll of the season will be released on Wednesday, March 1. The NCAA Division II Women's Basketball selection show will be held via ncaa.com on Sunday, March 5 at 10 pm.
 
Caldwell advances to the CACC Championship semifinals for a seventh consecutive season. The Cougars face N#3 Dominican College on Saturday, March 4 at 5 pm at Caldwell's Newman Center.