BOX SCORE


Caldwell, N.J. - Junior Ervin Ezell (Deptford, N.J./Deptford High) forced a turnover in the final seconds of overtime to preserve the Holy Family University men's basketball team's 80-78 victory at Caldwell College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest Saturday afternoon at the George R. Newman Center.
 
Holy Family is now 7-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while Caldwell falls to 5-10 overall and 1-5 in the CACC.
 
Ezell led all scorers with 29 points after shooting 9-of-16 from the field, including 8-of-11 from the free throw line. He also dished out a game-high eight assists to go along with five rebounds, three steals and two blocks.  Junior Alberto Munoz (Morrisville, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons) contributed 16 points after knocking down five three-pointers (5-11).  Senior Angel Ayala (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) added 15 points off the bench, while collecting seven rebounds and dishing out four assists.
 
For Caldwell, sophomore Kevin Walker led the team with 22 points, while fellow classmate Michael Balkovic added 21 points off the bench to lead the Cougars offense.  Walker shot 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.  Balkovic grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds to record a double-double.  He also shot 8-of-10 from the field. 
 
With seven seconds remaining in regulation, Caldwell tied the game at 70-70 after freshman Brian Kenny drained a three-pointer forcing overtime.  Holy Family managed a shot in the final seconds to attempt to win the game, but came up short as time expired to end the second half.
 
In overtime, both teams exchanged baskets as the extra period featured five different lead changes and three ties.  Caldwell led 78-76 after a layup basket by senior Karel Thuwis with 1:06 on the clock. 
 
On the Tigers' following possession, Munoz drained a three-pointer to give Holy Family a 79-78 lead with :47 seconds to play in overtime. 
 
Holy Family went on to seal the victory after Ezell split a pair of free throws with eight seconds to play to give the Tigers an 80-78 lead.
 
On Caldwell's final possession, the Cougars turned the ball over as Ezell stole the ball on the defensive end to close out the victory.
 
Holy Family shot 3-of-4 from the field in overtime and finished the game shooting 45.8-percent.  The Tigers turned the ball over ten times and forced 14 Caldwell miscues. 
 
Holy Family is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 12 as the Tigers host Goldey-Beacom College in a CACC contest.  Game time is slated for 3 p.m.