CALDWELL, N.J- Caldwell University men's basketball junior Eric Johnson-Alford (Clifton, N.J.) led the way with 22 points as the Cougars held off Nyack College 76-71 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest.  
 
The Cougars improve to 8-9 overall and 4-4 in the CACC, while the Warriors fall to 4-11 and 3-4 in conference play.
 
Caldwell got off to a quick start as they opened up a 17-4 lead over the first eight minutes of the game. Juniors AJ Kittles (Glassboro, N.J.) and Vaughn Covington (Sicklerville, N.J.) each connected on triples in the run. Junior Ned Ogoemesim (Westampton, N.J.) netted seven points and capped the run with a three-pointer at the 12:30 mark.
 
Nyack rallied back as they closed the gap to 27-24 with just over four minutes to play in the opening half. The Cougars finished the half strong as Johnson-Alford converted a three-point play down the stretch. Kittles added a trifecta, while Ogoemesim added a late bucket as Caldwell held a 40-31 halftime lead.

The Warriors cut the score to six points early in the second half but Caldwell answered with 13 straight points. Senior Ahmad Harrison (Newark, N.J.) drained a triple, while Johnson-Alford netted six points as the Cougars pulled ahead 53-34 with 14:18 left in the game.
 
Nyack battled back as they cut the score to 65-60 with 3:29 remaining in the game. Caldwell connected on seven free throws over the final three minutes to hold the Warriors. Covington scored in the paint and added three from the line in the final minute of the game to secure the win.
 
Johnson-Alford led the way with 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in the win. Covington totaled 14 points, six boards and five assists, while Ogoemesim added 13 points, five rebounds and three steals. Harrison posted 10 points, five rebounds and three steals. Kittles finished with nine points and six boards
 
The Cougars travel to Jefferson for a CACC match-up on Sunday, January 20 at 4:00 pm.