CALDWELL, N.J. -- In what has been a season of "could have beens" for Caldwell men's basketball, senior guard Melvin Evans (Bronx, N.Y.) provided a glimpse of what may be yet to come when he swished a 23-footer with two seconds left, breaking a tie and giving the Cougars a thrilling 81-78 victory over Dominican, ranked #20 in the latest NABC DII Men's Basketball Poll, in a CACC matchup at an energized Newman Center on Tuesday evening.

The winning play came moments after a three-pointer by DUNY's Isaiah Honis had tied the game at 78 with 22 seconds remaining in regulation. Junior guard Todd Rochelle (Laurelton, N.Y.) drove the middle, drawing the defense, then kicked the pass out to Evans, who confidently stroked what would be the game-winner from the left wing.

Dominican (5-2, 2-1 CACC) raced out to a 12-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game and led by as many as 11 before the Cougars finished the half on a 12-5 run to trail by three at 42-39 at the break. Caldwell (1-8, 1-4) would take its first lead of the game with 18:22 to play on two free throws by freshman forward Terence Thompson (Rochester, N.Y.), and after the teams traded the lead numerous times, CU would grab its largest advantage at 78-73 with 1:06 to play on Rochelle layup and free throw. Honis's transition three would tie the game before Evans's heroics put the Cougars in the win column.

Rochelle (team-highs of 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists with no turnovers) led a balanced CU attack that had six players score nine or more points. Junior forward Jaiden Williams (New York) tossed in 14, Evans posted 13 points to go with four rebounds, for assists and three steals, Thompson contributed 11 to go with eight boards, a block and a steal, and junior guard Isaiah Philbert (Bronx, N.Y.) and sophomore guard Jaryn Bull (Bronx, N.Y.) delivered nine apiece.

The Cougars outrebounded the Chargers, 41-33, nabbing 13 offensive rebounds in all. 

Caldwell next visits Southern Connecticut in New Haven on Monday.