CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University men's basketball team had all five starters net double digits in points to pace the Cougars past Franklin Pierce 95-91 in their home opener.
 
The Cougars improve to 2-1 on the season, while the Ravens drop to 1-2.  
 
Caldwell took an 11-4 lead paced by three pointers from senior Ahmad Harrison (Newark, N.J.) and junior Ned Ogoemesim (Westampton, N.J.) in the first three minutes of the game. The Ravens battled back to pull ahead 17-16 with 13:36 left in the first half. The teams traded leads for the rest of the half with Franklin Pierce holding a 41-39 lead at halftime.
 
The Cougars opened the second half with a 21-10 run to pull ahead by nine points. Ogoemesim drained a triple, while junior Ruud Lutterman (Dalem, Netherlands) netted six points in the run. Junior Daan Vianen (Nieuwegein, Netherlands) capped the run with a trifecta at the 12:54 mark to give Caldwell a 60-51 lead.
 
The Ravens chipped away for most of the second half as they took a 78-75 lead with 4:45 left in the game. Caldwell went on a 9-2 run as Covington totaled three points, while Ogoemesim put the Cougars ahead for good with a lay-up at the 3:03 mark. Harrison netted four points in the run as Caldwell pulled ahead 84-80 with just under three minutes to play.
 
Caldwell held off the Ravens over the final two minutes as they connected on 11 free throws down the stretch. Harrison drained four from the line, while junior AJ Kittles (Glassboro, N.J.) added three free throws in the final minute of the game.
 
Harrison led the Cougars with 20 points and three rebounds. Covington totaled 17 points (10-for-12 from the line), three rebounds and three steals, while Ogoemesim chipped in 18 points and five rebounds. Lutterman posted 12 points and six boards, while Kittles finished with 12 points, six rebounds and four steals.
 
The Cougars are back in action on Sunday, November 25 as they travel to Southern Connecticut St University for a non-conference game at 1 pm.