GARDEN CITY, N.Y. -- Freshman guard Isaiah Philbert (Bronx, N.Y.) made five of seven threes for a career-best 20 points and three other Cougars reached double figures as Caldwell men's basketball fell at Adelphi, 67-62 in a non-league game at the Center for Recreation and Sport. Sophomore guard Darnell Evans (Amityville, N.Y.) had 14 points and junior forward Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) added 12 and a game-high 11 rebounds, and junior guard Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) pitched in 10 for CU.

After the hosts took a 13-6 first half lead, the Cougars scored 10 straight for a 16-13 advantage, keyed by a three pointer and jumper by Heber and a basket and two free throws by Evans. Later an 8-0 spurt that included two three pointers by Philbert put CU back in front, 24-18.

Adelphi (5-4) retook the lead with a late first half run and eventually held a 41-34 advantage at the intermission.

The Cougars (4-5) surged at the start of the second, picking up the defensive intensity and and using a 6-0 run to pull to within 45-44. One of three one-on-one backcourt steals by sophomore guard Melvin Evans (Bronx, N.Y.) followed by two more Philbert threes keyed a run that put CU back ahead, 52-50, midway through the period.

After the hosts took a seven-point lead, Philbert's fifth three of the game with 2:00 left pulled the Cougars back to within 64-60. But after an AU turnover and two missed front ends of one-an-one free throws, the Cougars couldn't convert on four attempts and AU held on for the win.

The game marked the last of seven straight Cougars road contests since a season-opening home tournament in November. They return to the confines of the Newman Center on Tuesday with a 2 p.m. matinee vs. Assumption.