Bryant Tops MBB 79-68 at Home on Thursday

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.