BRIDGEPORT, Conn, -- Sophomore guard Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) scored 23 points and sophomore guard Kirk Parsons (Bronx, N.Y.) and junior guard Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) had 18 apiece as a late Caldwell men's basketball rally fell just short in a 96-92 loss to CACC foe Bridgeport at Harvey Hubble Gymnasium on Saturday.

The Cougars (4-7, 0-2 CACC) started off strong, taking a double digit early lead at 17-4 on seven points by Evans and capped by a jumper by junior forward Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) less than six minutes into the game.

But the host Purple Knights (6-6, 1-1 CACC) took a three-point halftime lead, then extended to as large as an 18-point advantage at 68-50 with under 15:00 to play.

The Cougars mounted their final comeback midway through the second half, whittling away at a 15-point deficit to trail by just two at 90-88, a pair of Evans free throws with 1:18 left getting the Cougars within a possession, and after forcing a missed shot thought they had a chance to tie. But a foul put Bridgeport at the line, and Purple Knights would go six of six from the stripe down the stretch to secure the victory.

Sophomore Moussa Ngom (Centreville, Va.) had a game-high nine rebounds and sophomore guard Melvin Evans (Bronx, N.Y.) was strong down the stretch, finishing with nine points, four rebounds and three steals in the game.

The Cougars stay in conference with a contest at Wilmington next Saturday at 3 p.m. in New Castle, Del.