CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University men's basketball senior Manley Dorme (Nanuet, N.Y.) turned in a double-double effort but the Cougars fell short to Dominican College 75-62 in their season opener.
 
The Cougars fall to 0-1 and 0-1 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, while the Chargers improve to 2-0 and 2-0 in conference play.
 
The Chargers got off to a 13-7 lead over the first eight minutes to start the contest. Caldwell battled back with an 18-4 run over the next eight minutes to pull ahead by eight late in the half.
 
Dorme and junior Anthony Cooper (Ashburn, Va.) each netted five points in the run and both recorded a three-point play to help the Cougars rally back. Sophomore Curtis Fornchor (Baltimore, Md.) capped the run with a pair of buckets to put the Cougars ahead 25-17 with four minutes left in the game.
 
Dominican rallied back over the final four minutes and connected on a late triple to take a 30-27 halftime lead. Caldwell trailed by seven points midway through the second half before Dominican extended their lead to the final buzzer.
 
Dorme recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Cooper tallied 14 points and two steals. Graduate Gerald Blount (Jersey City, N.J.) finished with 13 points and nine boards.
 
The Cougars return to action on Tuesday, February 2 as they travel to Nyack College for a CACC match-up at 5:30 pm.