JERSEY CITY, N.J.- Caldwell University men's basketball freshman Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) netted 28 points as the Cougars were clipped by a point in a 68-67 loss to Alliance University in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest.
 
The Cougars fall to 18-8 overall and 14-3 in the CACC, while Alliance falls to 13-14 and 7-9 in conference play.
 
Despite the loss, the Cougars secure the top seed in the CACC North Division with one game to go in the regular season.
 
Alliance jumped out to a 13-3 lead over the first six minutes of play. The Cougars rallied back as they took a one-point lead following two free throws from sophomore Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) at the 8:48 mark.
 
Alliance answered to push ahead 32-26 with under four minutes to play in the half. Caldwell closed the half with a 10-2 run as Evans connected om a jumper in the final seconds to put the Cougars up 36-34 at halftime.
 
The teams traded leads to start the second half with the Cougars eventually pulling ahead 57-51 with 7:52 remaining in the game. Alliance cut the score to one point at 59-58 with 4:50 left. Evans and Bueno scored buckets on back to back possessions to extend their lead to 63-58.
 
Alliance battled back to take a 66-65 lead but Evans drained a pair of free throws to put the Cougars back in front by one in the waning seconds. Alliance was able to secure two free throws, connecting on both shot to edge the Cougars.
 
Evans led the way with 28 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Bueno finished with 12 points and two boards, while sophomore Mark Heber (Paterson, N.J.) added 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Jarnel Rancy (Middle Island, N.Y.) tallied nine boards, two steals and four blocks.
 
The Cougars wrap up regular season play as they host Bloomfield College in a CACC contest on Saturday, February 25 at 4 pm.