CALDWELL, N.J. – Jordan Davidson led all players with a career-high 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting and 5-of-5 3-pointers, but it was not quite enough in USciences men's basketball's 73-68 loss at Caldwell on Sunday afternoon.

The Devils trailed by 12 twice early in the second half and got all the way within two midway through the period, but they could never come back to tie it.

The second 12-point deficit came at 50-38 with 14:11 remaining.

Tommy Gardler started the rally with five straight USciences points and after one of Davidson's five 3-pointers later on, Jaakko Juusela's layup completed a 14-4 surge that made the score 54-52 with 9:25 left.

Caldwell answered with a four-point play though, and the Devils could never make it a one-possession game again.  

University of the Sciences got as close as four points four times, including at 72-68 on an Austin Kennedy 3-pointer with 25 seconds to go, but each time the Cougars had a response.

Davison's 26 points surpassed his previous career-best of 19, and he also tied a career-high with four assists.

Gardler was also in double-figures with 12 points, while Juusela led USciences with season-bests of seven rebounds and five assists off the bench.

Matthew McCaffrey added seven points and six boards, helping University of the Sciences outrebound Caldwell 35-31, which led to a 14-0 edge in second-chance points.

The Devils also made more field goals and 3-pointers than the Cougars, but Caldwell made nearly double the amount of free throws, 23-13, on 13 more attempts, 35-22.

University of the Sciences jumped out to its largest advantage, 8-2, 4:19 in following eight unanswered, before Caldwell took the lead for good with 12:25 remaining in the first half.

The Cougars led by as many as nine in the opening period and by six, 35-29, at the break, before taking its first 12-point advantage, 43-31, with 17:27 to play.

University of the Sciences hosts two games this upcoming week, the first of which is on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. versus Georgian Court.