CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University men's basketball head coach Mark A. Corino reached another milestone on Wednesday afternoon with his 603rd career victory to tie for the all-time victories mark for an NCAA men's basketball coach in the State of New Jersey as the Cougars earned a 73-53 victory over Georgian Court University.
 
Corino pulled even with former Stockton University head coach Gerry Matthews, who coached the Ospreys from 1985-2016 and finished his career with a 603-243 record. Corino's first chance to take sole possession of the state wins record will come on Saturday when the Cougars host Holy Family University at the George R. Newman Center.
 
The Cougars even their record at 5-5 overall and 1-2 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The Lions fall to 2-10 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
 
Caldwell jumped out to a 21-10 lead with 7:44 left in the opening half as senior Anthony Cooper (Ashburn, Va.) drained a pair of three-pointers. The Lions closed the gap to four points at 23-19 but Caldwell rallied late to take a 36-26 at halftime.
 
The Cougars held a double-digits lead for most of the second half as Georgian Court got as close as nine points midway through the second half.  
 
Cooper led the way with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Sophomore Jarnel Rancy (Middle Island, N.Y.) tied his career-high with seven blocks, while adding nine points, four rebounds and two steals. Freshman Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) led Caldwell with 12 rebounds along with nine points. Graduate Gerald Blount (Jersey City, N.J.) grabbed 10 rebounds in the win. Freshman Matthew Teale (Como, Western Australia) tallied a season-high six steals along with eight points, five boards and three assists.
 
The Cougars return to the court on Saturday, January 8 as they host Holy Family in a CACC contest at 3 pm.