MORRISTOWN, N.J. - The College of Saint Elizabeth's men's basketball team (3-0, 0-0 NEAC) stayed perfect by capping off a thrilling 71-67 victory over neighboring Drew University on Tuesday evening.

After a slow start by both teams, Lance Rhoden scored five straight points to give the Eagles an early 10-6 lead with 15:04 remaining in the first half.  Over the next eight minutes, both teams battled back-and-forth as Drew regained a 21-20 lead with 7:03 to play.  

With just over two minutes to go in the half, Darnill Brown sank a three-pointer to give CSE a 29-27 lead.  The Rangers closed out the half by scoring the final five points as it took a 32-31 lead into halftime.

The Eagles came storming out of the gate in the second half, opening on an 8-0 run behind five points by Jason Saldiveri to take a 39-32 lead, its largest of the game.  Despite the seven point lead, Drew scored 12 of the next 15 points to regain a 44-42 lead.  Over the next eight minutes, both teams traded leads seven times, with the largest being four points on both sides, before the game was tied up at 60 with 3:06 remaining.

Following a bucket by Drew, Jordan Simmons knocked down the biggest shot of the game to this point, a straight-away three-pointer to give the Eagles a 63-62 lead.  Drew fought back to tie the game at 65, however, Saldiveri and Shaquan Mickens made two straight baskets to give the Eagles a 69-65 lead with 1:21 remaining. Over the final minute, Drew got within two, but Saldiveri made two clutch free throws with one second remaining, closing out the victory. 

Saldiveri led the Eagles with 27 points and 11 rebounds.  Brown added 14 points on 4-9 from beyond the arc.  Mickens and Rhoden each finished with 10 points.

CSE returns to action on Monday when it hosts the King's College at 8 pm.