LAKEWOOD, N.J.- Caldwell University men's basketball freshman Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) netted 27 points as the Cougars defeated Georgian Court University 84-72 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest.
 
The Cougars improve to 10-7 overall and 6-2 in the CACC, while the Lions fall to 9-7 and 5-2 in conference play.
 
Sophomore Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) drained a pair early three-pointers as the Cougars raced out to a 26-12 lead midway through the opening half. The Lions battled back to within five points at 34-29 with 4:06 left in the half. The Cougars pushed ahead late to take a 39-29 lead at halftime.
 
Heber drained a pair of trifectas early in the second half, while freshman Kirk Parsons (Newark, N.J.) added a three-pointer to help Caldwell build their largest lead of the game at 58-40 with 13:08 remaining in the game. The Lions battled back as they trimmed the scored to four points in the final five minutes at 72-68.
 
Evans answered with a three-pointer to kick start a 12-4 run to close the game. Parsons added four clutch free throws down the stretch, while Evans drained a pair as the Cougars pulled away late to secure the win.
 
Evans shot 3-for-6 from downtown, leading the way with 27 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Heber finished with 20 points and seven boards, while Parsons totaled 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Jarnel Rancy (Middle Island, N.Y.) contributed six rebounds, five blocks, three assists and two steals.
 
The Cougars conclude their three-game road swing as they travel to Bloomfield College for a CACC North Division clash on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:30 pm.