CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University men's basketball senior Anthony Cooper (Ashburn, Va.) netted 21 points while sophomore Jarnel Rancy (Middle Island, N.Y.) added a career-high eight blocks as the Cougars held off the University of the Sciences 73-68 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest.
 
The Cougars improve to 7-10 overall and 3-7 in the CACC, while the Devils fall to 2-14 overall and 2-8 in conference play.
 
USciences got off to a fast start as they led 10-4 over the first five minutes of play. Caldwell rallied back as they scored the next 12 points as part of an 18-4 run.
 
Graduate Gerald Blount (Jersey City, N.J.) started the run with a three-point play at the 14:32 mark. Sophomore Ty-Shon Pannell (Central Islip, N.Y.) added a three-pointer in the run, while freshman Julius Agustsson (Akureyi, Iceland) capped the run with a trifecta to put Caldwell ahead 22-14 with 6:34 left in the half. The Devils stayed closed late in the half and trailed 35-29 at halftime.
 
The Cougars extended their lead to 50-38 early in the second half at the 14:11 mark. USciences got as close at two points at 54-52 midway through the half. Caldwell matched the Devils down the stretch the Cougars connected on four free throws in the final minute to take the win.
 
Cooper connected on 15-of-18 from the line, finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. Pannell drained 3-of-5 from downtown, totaling 13 points in the win, while Agustsson was 2-for-4 from behind the arc for 11 points along with three assists. Rancy swatted a career-high eight while adding five boards and three assists.
 
The Cougars host Adelphi University for a non-conference contest on Thursday, February 3 at 6 pm.