CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University men's basketball senior Anthony Cooper (Ashburn, Va.) totaled 28 points as the Cougars knocked off division leader Post University 74-70 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest.
 
The Cougars improve to 8-16 overall and 4-12 in the CACC, while the Eagles drop to 18-8 and 14-2 in conference play.
 
Post opened up a 16-10 lead with 13 minutes left in the first half. Caldwell rallied back with a 13-4 run to take a three-point lead. Cooper and graduate Gerald Blount (Jersey City, N.J.) each scored four points to help the Cougars take a 23-20 lead with 7:41 remaining in the half.  
 
The Eagles retook the lead at 33-29 with under three minutes to play but the Caldwell closed the half with an 8-1 run to take lead. Junior Tyler Washington (Englewood, N.J.) drained a triple, while Cooper connected on a buzzer beating trifecta to put the Cougars up 37-34 at halftime.
 
Caldwell got off to a strong start in the second half as the Cougars built a 60-49 lead following a pair of free throws by freshman Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) at the 9:06 mark. Post chipped away as they took a 70-69 with under a minute to play. The Cougars answered with five free throws in the final 30 seconds as Cooper and Washington each connected on two each to hold on for the win.
 
Cooper led the way with a double-double effort, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Blount totaled 14 points, eight boards and two blocks. Washington added 11 points and five rebounds, while Bueno finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
 
Prior to the game, Blount was recognized as part of senior day with the graduate playing in his final home game for Caldwell.
 
The Cougars close out their season on Saturday, February 26 as they head to Bloomfield College for a CACC contest at 3 pm.