CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University men's basketball freshman Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) led five scorers in double figures as the Cougars outpaced the University of Bridgeport 100-81 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest.
 
The Cougars improve to 8-6 overall and 4-1 in the CACC, while the Purple Knights drop to 7-7 and 3-3 in conference play.
 
Caldwell raced out to a 22-9 lead over the first seven minutes of the game as sophomore Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) and sophomore Jarnel Rancy (Middle Island, N.Y.) each scored four points. Evans added a triple and a three-point play to cap the run.
 
Bridgeport rallied back, pulling to within two points late in the half. Heber drained a three-pointer, while senior Tyler Washington (Hampton, Ga.) added a bucket as Caldwell pushed ahead 44-38 at the break.
 
The Purple Knights battled back to within a point at 47-46 early in the second half. Caldwell answered with a 12-4 burst as Washington netted a three-pointer, while Evans added a three-point play. The Cougars extended their lead into double digits, leading by as much as 14 points during this stretch.
 
Bridgeport closed to within eight points at 80-72 at the 5:55 mark. The Cougars answered with a 17-5 run to pull away over the five minutes. Heber netted six points, while Evans converted a three-point play. Washington capped the run with a three-pointer at the 1:05 mark to put Caldwell ahead 97-77.
 
Evans led five scorers in double figures as he finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Heber totaled 18 points, six boards and two steals, while sophomore Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) posted 18 points and six boards. Washington finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists, while freshman Melvin Evans (Bronx, N.Y.) netted 10 points. Rancy tallied a team-high 10 rebounds, four steals and four blocks.
 
The Cougars host Goldey-Beacom College in a CACC contest on Saturday, January 7 at 3 pm.