NEW YORK -- Sophomore guard Darnell Evans (Amityville, N.Y.) tallied 23 points and soph forward Landon Shivers (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) broke out for 14, but a furious rally fell short as Caldwell men's basketball dropped an 88-79 non-league verdict at Queens at South Gym.

The Cougars (4-3) trailed, 37-23, at the intermission, and still trailed, 76-61, with 4:00 left when a bucket by Shivers, who made seven of eight baskets on the evening, and a three by junior guard Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) cut their deficit to 10. The Knights (5-3) made six free throws down the stretch to stave off the Cougars' attempts to get back into it, the decisive two with 0:16 left after a Shivers putback had pulled CU to within eight with 0:25 left.

Heber finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, tied with junior forward Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) for the team high. Evans collected team-bests of three assists and five steals.

CU next visits Franklin Pierce on Saturday in the sixth of seven straight road games.