Ptacek Matches Career High with 20 Points in 80-73 Central Connecticut Loss Versus FDU

Freshman Robby Ptacek had 20 points, matching a season high, to lead Central Connecticut (11-13, 7-7) in an 80-73 Northeast Conference home loss versus Fairleigh Dickinson (7-18, 6-8). Senior Marcus Palmer added 12 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Shemik Thompson had 11 points and nine assists. The Blue Devils next play on Saturday, Feb. 14. They will take a break from league action with a 3:30 affair at Bryant.

The Blue Devils trailed 46-38 at halftime after allowing the Knights 19 first half baskets. It was the second-highest total allowed in the first half this season by the Blue Devils. Arizona State scored 49 in the first half in December.

Central Connecticut, however, climbed back into the game in the second half, and used a 10-1 run in a 5:17 span to take a 65-64 lead, with 3:28 on the clock. CCSU had trailed by as much as 10 on three occasions in the half before the run gave them their first advantage since it was 3-2.

Fairleigh Dickinson responded, and scored eight straight points to lead 72-65 with just over a minute to play in the game. The Blue Devils, who had turned the ball over only five times in the first 37:40 of the game, turned it over five times in the final 2:20. Central Connecticut would get no closer than four in the final minute of the game and lost for the second straight time at home.

Ptacek led the Blue Devils with his 20 points, the second time in his first season with the Blue Devils that he has scored 20 in a game. Thompson added 11 along with his nine assists, four rebounds and three steals. Senior Marcus Palmer had 12 points and seven boards while sophomore Aaron Hall had 10 points and a pair of assists in the loss.

The Blue Devils now travel to Bryant University on Saturday for their final non-conference game of the season at 3:30 p.m. Following the Bryant game they will play three straight at home before finishing the regular season at Quinnipiac on Feb. 28.