Bryant Tops MBB 79-68 at Home on Thursday
Peel posts 15 points, 12 boards and five blocks in loss
Sophomore forward Brandon Peel had 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks for the Central Connecticut men's basketball team but the Blue Devils fell 79-68 at home to Bryant University on Thursday night. Bryant, in second place in the Northeast Conference, is now 15-9 overall and 7-2 in league play. The Blue Devils fall to 6-16 overall and 2-7 in the NEC.
The Blue Devils got the Bryant lead down to five, 73-68, with 1:57 left in the game, but six straight points from the Bulldogs helped seal the victory. The Bulldogs were 10-of-28 from three in the game, and made five of those in the second half. With the game tied 44-44, with 13:53 to play, the Bulldogs went on an 11-2 run, including three threes, to help build a nine-point edge.
The Blue Devils responded, however, and cut the lead to 55-53, just over four minutes later after a bucket from junior Malcolm McMillan. Freshman Khalen Cumberlander had five points during the 7-0 run. He finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.
As a team the Blue Devils had 12 assists and just eight turnovers. They also had six blocks, including five from Peel.
Bryant was led by Alex Francis who also posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards. Dyami Starks added 16 and was one of five Bryant players in double-figures.
McMillan led Central with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. He was 6-of-6 from the line and played almost the entire game. Senior Terrell Allen also had 13 points, including a season-high, three threes. He was 3-of-5 from three.
Central returns to action at home on Saturday hosting Fairleigh Dickinson at 11:30 a.m. in Detrick Gym. The game will be televised on MSG and Fox College Sports.
