WORCESTER, Mass.- The Caldwell University men's basketball team came up short 63-59 to Saint Michael's College to close out play at the Assumption University Conference Challenge.
 
The Cougars fall to 0-2, while the Purple Knights improve to 2-0.
 
In a competitive first half, St. Michael's held a 20-15 lead late in the half. The Cougars closed the half with a 15-4 run to take a lead into halftime. Freshman Daniel Boateng (Fords, N.J.) drained a triple, totaling five points in the run. Freshman Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) connected on a bucket to put Caldwell ahead 30-22 with 1:31 left in the half. The Purple Knights scored in the final minute as the Cougars led 30-24 at the break.
 
St. Michael's pulled ahead 37-32 early in the second half but the Cougars rallied with a 13-3 run. Evans scored nine of the 13 points, including draining a triple, to put Caldwell back in the lead midway through the half.
 
The team traded leads down the stretch with the Purple Knights holding off the Cougars in the final minute.
 
Evans led the way for a second straight game, finishing with 16 points, five boards, four assists and three steals. Sophomore Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) netted 12 points, while Boateng grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, while adding four assists and five points. Sophomore Jarnel Rancy (Middle Island, N.Y.) recorded three blocks in the game.
 
The Cougars travel to Southern Connecticut State University on Wednesday, November 16 at 7:30 pm.