OAKDALE, N.Y.-  The Dowling College men’s basketball team picked up their first win of the 2014-15 season with an 82-73 victory over Caldwell University this afternoon at Dowling Gymnasium.  Today marks head coach John Mateyko‘s 200^th collegiate win, first with the Golden Lions as they improve to 1-3 on the season.  The Cougars drop to 4-3.
 
After being presented a ball celebrating his 1000^th career point, senior Dairen Davis finished with a game high 23 points going 10 for 14 from the field.  After recording just six points in the first half, the guard came out and knocked down 8 of 10 shots from the floor for 17 points.  Senior Donte Adams and sophomore Ryan Hickey each finished with 16 points apiece combining for 8 of 11 from long range.  Hickey added nine rebounds and three assists.  Freshman Tristan Brown rounded out the top scorers with 15 points while adding five assists.
 
Leading the Cougars was Dawan Lighty with 12 points.  Michael Balkovic finished with a double double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.  
 
The Golden Lions led by as many as seven, 24-17, midway through the opening frame.  But the Cougars went on an 14-2 run over the next five minutes of play to pull ahead 31-26.   Hickey dropped in back to back threes from well beyond the arc to put the score back in Dowling’s favor, 32-31, with 2:41 left on the clock.  The teams exchanged baskets and with :26 remaining Caldwell’s Lighty knocked down both his free throws putting the Cougars back on top 35-34.  Second later junior Greg Civiletti found junior Evan Maxwell who drained a three for a 37-35 DC lead.  The Cougars were setting up for a last shot in the closing seconds, but a turn over set up Brown for his buzzer beater sending the Golden Lions into the break leading 40-35.
 
Dowling remained in control through the second half using a 61.3% from the floor to hold a double digit lead for most of the half.  Davis used fast break buckets on two occasions to give the Golden Lions their largest lead of 17 points in the second portion of the frame as DC cruised to an 82-73 win.
 
As a team, the Golden Lions finished with a 54.8% from the floor, 34-62, while going 11 for 23 in three-point range.  The Cougars were held to 41.9 %, 26-62, from the field and 29.4 % from beyond the arc. 
 
The Golden Lions return to action as they travel to take on the University of New Haven Wednesday, December 3^rd.  Game time is set for 7:30 PM.