CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University men's basketball freshman
Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) led the way with 21 points but it was not enough in am 85-79 setback in overtime to Adelphi University in a non-conference contest.
The Cougars fall to 6-5 overall, while the Panthers improve to 5-7.
Caldwell raced out to a 19-11 eight minutes into the game, power by a three-pointer by sophomore
Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) and an Evans three-point play. Senior
Tyler Washington (Hampton, Ga.) drained a triple at the 12:26 mark to cap the run and give the Cougars an eight-point lead.
Adelphi battled back as they pulled even at 23 and 32 down the stretch. Heber drained a triple, while freshman
Landon Shivers (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) scored in the paint to put the Cougars ahead 37-34. The Panthers scored in the final minute as Caldwell held a 37-36 halftime lead.
The Panthers pushed ahead 44-39 early in the second half but Caldwell rallied back with five straight points to pull even at 44 with 14:42 left in regulation. The teams traded leads over the final 14 minutes with seven ties down the stretch. The seventh tie over this stretch came in the waning seconds as Adelphi hit two free throws to pull even at 68. The Cougars missed a shot as time expired as the game headed to overtime.
Adelphi scored six straight points to start overtime but Washington drained a triple to cut the score to 74-71 midway through overtime. The Panthers pushed ahead 79-71 and connected on six free throws in the final minute to hold off the Cougars.
Evans led the way with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Heber totaled 13 points, six boards and three steals. Washington finished with 10 points, five rebounds and two steals, while sophomore
Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) added 10 points and seven boards. Sophomore
Jarnel Rancy (Middle Island, N.Y.) recorded eight rebounds and five blocks.
The Cougars are back in action following the Christmas break as they return to conference play with a road contest at Dominican University of New York on Thursday, December 29 at 7:30 pm.
