CALDWELL, N.J. -- Sophomore guard Darnell Evans (Deer Park, N.Y.) had a game-best 22 points, 10 assists and added seven rebounds and freshman Isaiah Philbert (Bronx, N.Y.) had his second straight double-figure outing, notching 16, but Wilmington (12-10) staved off a late rally to defeat Caldwell (9-11) in non-league men's basketball action at the Newman Center on Tuesday.

The Cougars erased an early deficit, eventually taking a two-point lead on a jumper in the lane by sophomore Moussa Ngom (Dakar, Senegal) and trey by Philbert for a 22-20 edge midway through the period. Later, layups by Evans and Philbert gave CU its largest lead of 27-22, though the visitors would close the half strong for a 46-37 advantage at the break.

The Wildcats would go ahead by as many as 11 in the second half, but the Cougars whittled away at the deficit, closing to 74-71 on a traditional three point play by junior forward Derrick Bueno (Palisades Park, N.J.) with 2:14 left. But WU would convert nine of 12 free throws down the stretch to hold off the rally.

Bueno had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Ngom collected a team-high nine boards for the Cougars.

CU next visits Goldey-Beacom in CACC action on Saturday at 3 p.m.