CALDWELL, N.J.- The Caldwell University men's basketball team opened play at the CU Conference Challenge with a 67-58 loss to Southern New Hampshire University in their 2021-22 season opener.
 
The Cougars start their season at 0-1, while the Penmen open up at 1-0.
 
Southern New Hampshire jumped out to a 12-2 lead over the first seven minutes of play. Caldwell trimmed the score to six points at 12-6 but the Penmen opened up a 28-12 lead late in the half.
 
The Cougars rallied back as freshman Nichus Jackson (Trenton, N.J.) scored five points as part of a 12-2 run late in the half. Junior Tyler Washington (Englewood, N.J.) drained a trifecta with under a minute to play to close the gap to 30-24. The Penmen connected on a late three-pointer to lead 33-24 at halftime.
 
Southern New Hampshire pushed their lead to double digits early in the second half but the Caldwell battled back. The Cougars chipped away at the Penmen advantage, closing the gap to five points at 58-53 following a lay-up by senior Anthony Cooper (Ashburn, Va.) with 2:29 left in the game. The Penmen connected on a triple and hit free throws down the stretch to hold off the Cougars.
 
Jackson finished with a double-double in his first collegiate action with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Cooper tallied 14 points, six boards and three assists, while Washington added 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
 
The Cougars close out play at the CU Conference Challenge as they host Stonehill College at 4 pm.