Caldwell, NJ – (2/25/2011) – It took two overtimes to decide this evening's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest as Chestnut Hill College forced the first extra frame before Caldwell College returned the favor and later closed the contest on a 76-74 victory. A put-back from junior guard Brandon Williams (Philadelphia, PA) gave the Griffins a chance at nailing down the Cougars in overtime. They led the home team through the extra period, but still the Cougars evaded defeat until junior guard Nik Otovic (Kraljevo, Serbia) provided the separating buckets in the second overtime.
Caldwell College (10-16, 7-11) always stayed a step ahead of Chestnut Hill College (11-15, 8-9), but freshman forward Khadim Ndiaye (Long Beach, NY) gave the Griffins a 54-53 advantage with 2:02 left in regulation. The Cougars answered with two straight baskets to control a 57-55 lead with 37 seconds to go, but Williams scored an offensive rebound with 17 seconds remaining and forced overtime. The Griffins took charge in the first overtime, but late free throws brought the Cougars even and sent the affair to another stanza. With 3:40 left in the second overtime Otovic scored five straight Cougar points to separate the home team for a 72-68 lead. The Griffins cut it to one, 74-73, at the two-minute mark (2:02) on a layup from junior guard Uros Kovacevic (Kotor, Montenegro), but they would get no closer.
Sophomore forward Arthur Morrison (Phillipsburg, NJ) led the Cougars with 17 points, while sophomore forward Karel Thuwis (Zonhoven, Belgium) contributed 11 points and 13 rebounds. Both provided two blocks to a nine-block, eight-steal defensive effort. Otovic and junior guard Derrick Ross (Newark, NJ) each scored 14 points while junior guard Anthony Gill (New Rochelle, NY) recorded 11 points.
Williams matched his season-high with 21 points, while also handing out four assists and making four steals. Junior center Dan Comas (Philadelphia, PA) recorded his tenth double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds while senior forward Trenton Davidheiser (Pottstown, PA) gave a gritty performance with five points, 15 rebounds, and five steals; the rebounds matching a career-high. Kovacevic finished with 14 points.
The men's basketball team continues their season with their third straight trip to the CACC Championship Tournament and a third straight Opening Round matchup against Philadelphia University. The contest is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off on Tuesday, March 1.
