PHILADELPHIA -- Senior guard Melvin Evans (Bronx, N.Y.) posted 22 points, four steals and four rebounds to lead five Cougars in double figures, but a late surge spoiled a huge second-half Caldwell men's basketball rally, lifting host Thomas Jefferson to an 86-80 CACC triumph at the Gallagher Center on Saturday afternoon.

Caldwell (13-13, 11-8 CACC) trailed by as many as 17 in the second half before a furious comeback, started by a 11-0 run and finished with another 10-0 skein capped by a tying three by sophomore guard Tristan Rogers (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and go-ahead jumper by junior guard Isaiah Philbert (Bronx, N.Y.) gave the Cougars the lead at 68-66 with 6:45 to play.

A jumper by Rogers with 6:02 to play would put CU ahead for the last time at 70-68 before a 7-0 run gave Jefferson (15-11, 11-8) an advantage they wouldn't relinquish.

Junior guard Todd Rochelle (Laurelton, N.Y.) had 14 points and four assists, senior forward DeAngelo Horn (Detroit) pitched in 12 with a game-high eight boards, Rogers added 11 and freshman forward Terence Thompson (Rochester, N.Y.) scored 10 points and grabbed five boards.

The Cougars step out of conference play on Tuesday when they visit Mercy. CU hosts Holy Family on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a chance to still earn a home quarterfinal CACC Tournament berth.