PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- Caldwell University men's basketball freshman
Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) knifed through the lane, scoring the game-winning lay-up with 1.1 seconds left in the game to cap a furious comeback in the Cougars 70-68 victory over Chestnut Hill College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest.
The Cougars notch their sixth straight win to improve to 14-7 overall and 10-2 in the CACC, while the Griffins fall to 10-11 and 5-6 in conference play.
The teams played a competitive first half as the Cougars built a 19-16 lead with 6:18 left in the opening half. The Griffins went on a late run over the final six minutes to pull ahead 33-22 at halftime.
Caldwell opened the second half on a 10-2 run as freshman
Kirk Parsons (Newark, N.J.) drained a triple in the rally. Sophomore
Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) added four points, while Evans capped the run with a bucket at the 17:05 mark to trim the score to 35-32.
The Griffins extended their lead to 41-35 at the 14:09 mark but Caldwell rallied to pull even at 41 following two Heber free throws. The Cougars took a 50-48 lead midway through the half but Chestnut Hill answered as they jumped back in front 63-54 with 5:55 remaining in the game.
The Cougars responded down the stretch, outpacing the Griffins with a 16-5 run over the final 5:30 to take the win. Sophomore
Jarnel Rancy (Middle Island, N.Y.) drained five free throws in the run, including two clutch shots from the line with 34.0 seconds left to even the score at 68. The Caldwell defense forced a missed shot on Chestnut Hill's ensuing possession to set up Evans for the game-winning hoop to beat the buzzer. The Griffins were unable to get a shot off as the Cougars emerged with a hard-fought comeback victory.
Evans led the way with 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Heber tallied 14 points, six boards and two steals. Rancy turned in a solid all-around effort with 14 points, nine rebounds and nine blocks.
The Cougars travel to Felician University for a CACC contest on Tuesday, January 31 at 8 pm.