In a nail-biting divisional match up in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), the Caldwell Cougars (18-10) narrowly edged the Bloomfield Bears (13-14), 91-83, in overtime on Senior Day. Caldwell won their second game in a row with the CACC quarterfinals on the horizon. The win was a huge confidence booster for a squad that looks to continue their winning streak on Tuesday against Jefferson University.
The Cougars looked confident, taking a quick first-half lead going up 26-10 through the first 10 minutes of the game. But after a timeout and talk with their head coach, Gerald Holmes, Bloomfield proceeded to score 16 unanswered points to get back in the game. The Bears continued to push back against Caldwell during a back-and-forth first period, making it only a one-point game as they ended the first half 41-40.
The second half was jam packed with a plethora of lead changes with both teams changing leads seven times each. The game came down to the final seconds of the second half when junior forward Deangelo Horn just slightly missed a jumper that could have broken the 76-76 tie to give the Cougars the win, but as he missed, the buzzer sounded and regulation time ended with the score gridlocked at 76.
Overtime started with Caldwell setting the tone. Horn made a 3-pointer and the Cougars was able to establish a solid lead. Bloomfield would not see the lead again for the rest of the game. Both teams maintained a safe and defensive style throughout the five minutes of overtime. It came down to the final ten seconds when the Bears had to repeatedly foul to stop the clock giving Caldwell six points from free throw alone.
Horn, Caldwell’s star, was limited in minutes and ability against Bloomfield while nursing an ankle injury. In turn the rest of his Cougar teammates stepped up with senior guard Mark Huber showing out on senior day posting 20 points, shooting a 60 percent field goal percentage and staying on the court for a whopping 37 minutes. While Bloomfield lost the game today, their productivity was impressive with redshirt sophomore Starrell Hearns leading the way, putting up 23 points, four assists and was on the court for 36 minutes.
This is the last game of the regular season before Caldwell goes on to play Jefferson on Tuesday March 4 in the quarterfinals for the CACC Tournament.
