CALDWELL, N.J. -- Senior guard Melvin Evans (Bronx, N.Y.) scored 22 points and nabbed six steals and junior backcourt mate Todd Rochelle (Laurelton, N.Y.) contributed 18 points and a game-best seven assists, helping Caldwell men's basketball to a wire-to-wire, 80-65 triumph over Wilmington in a CACC contest at the Newman Center on Friday evening. The win is the third straight for Caldwell and second consecutive victory in CACC play.

The Cougars (3-8, 2-3) grabbed an early 11-3 lead on the strength of a tone-setting dunk by freshman forward Terence Thompson (Rochester, N.Y.), layup by Evans, three-ball by junior guard Isaiah Philbert (Bronx, N.Y.) and jumper by Rochelle. CU closed the half on an 8-3 run that extended its lead to 38-28 at the break.

The Wildcats (5-7, 1-4) didn't go quietly, whittling a 14-point Cougars lead to five at 45-40 with 15:33 left on a pair of three pointers by Jaylin Horsey. But the hosts quickly re-established a double-digit lead on a transition basket and hook shot by senior forward Roniel Oguekwe (Galway, Ireland).

WU would twice get to within four points, the last time with 5:45 left, but both times the Cougars were able to answer and push the lead back to double digits, and finally put the game away with another dunk by Thompson, layup by senior forward DeAngelo Horn (Detroit), making his first appearance of the season, and four of four free throws in the final minute by Rochelle.

Philbert finished with 10 points, and the Cougars defense limited the Wildcats, who came into the game averaging nearly 90 points per contest, to their lowest scoring output of the season, forcing 21 turnovers. Thompson grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds in the win.

The Cougars step out of conference play with a noon matchup on Sunday vs. 21st-ranked Assumption at the Newman Center, then break for the holidays until Jan. 3, when they visit Holy Family.