Morristown, N.J. – The College of Saint Elizabeth men's basketball team got 19 points off the bench from junior Darnill Brown (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown) in a physical, knock-down, drag-out type of game in which the Eagles came away with a 69-66 victory over fellow CSAC leader Cairn inside Saint Joseph's Hall on Tuesday night.
 
Both teams shot under 40.0 percent from the field, they combined to pull down 94 rebounds, shot a combined 19-for-31 from the free-throw line, and scrapped like it was a preview of a future postseason matchup and inauguration of an intense rivalry.
 
Cairn (5-7, 2-1 CSAC) led by eight points with three minutes remaining in the half. However, a beautifully executed play with seconds remaining in the period gave senior guard Ted Thelemaque (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) an open look at a corner three which he buried at the buzzer to cap a 12-0 to end the half and give the Eagles (7-4, 3-0 CSAC) a 32-28 lead at the break.
 
Saint Elizabeth led 56-50 with 9:06 remaining in the contest, but Cairn battled back with a 14-2 run to take a 64-58 edge with 4:42 to go. On the following three offensive possessions for CSE, Brown drained a pair of triples and senior guard Jason Saldiveri (New Brunswick, N.J./South Brunswick) scored a layup to put the Eagles up 66-64 with 2:27 left. Excellent defense and clutch free throw shooting from Saldiveri then sealed the crucial victory for Saint Elizabeth.
 
Saldiveri finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three rebounds, and was 8-for-10 at the charity stripe. Senior center Roland Romano (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) totaled seven points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks.
 
Up next, the Eagles are at Clarks Summit on Saturday, Jan. 11 for a 3 p.m. tip against the Defenders.