Men's Hoop Win Streak Stops at Two
Blue Devils topped at home by NJIT, 84-76
The Central Connecticut men's basketball team saw its two-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday night with an 84-76 loss at home to NJIT. Sophomore Matt Mobley led the offense with 27 points, including 12-of-12 from the free-throw line, but the Blue Devils fell to 2-8 on the season with the loss. NJIT is now 5-7.
Mobley's 27 points led all scorers. Classmate Khalen Cumberlander added 18 points and four rebounds, he was 7-of-12 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line. Central hit 26-of-31 from the line in the game, but made just 2-of-12 from three, including 1-of-8 in the second half. NJIT, however, made 10 threes and was 10-of-22 overall from three, including five from Damon Lynn. Lynn finished with 16 points and six assists and was one of four NJIT players in double-figures.
The Highlanders took a 45-38 lead into the half on a last second three pointer by Lynn. CCSU led for just under 13 minutes in the half, but NJIT used a strong closing run to finish the half with a seven-point lead.
NJIT shot 57.6% (19-33) from the field and 54.5% (6-11) from three in the period. The Blue Devils also shot well posting a 50.0% (13-26) mark from the floor, but just one-of-four on three-point attempts.
NJIT opened a 14 point second half lead (70-56) with 10:08 left. Central would ride a strong defensive effort to cut the lead to four, 72-68, over the next six minutes, holding the Highlanders to only one field goal during the 12-2 run. Down four, Mobley had a three pointer go in and out on the offensive end of the floor and Central would get no closer the rest of the way.
The Highlanders, who made just 2-of-9 from the free-throw line to start the game, made 9-of-12 from the stripe in the final minutes to secure the eight point victory. They managed just two field goals in the final 10 minutes but held on for their fifth win of the season.
Senior Greg Andrade grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds off the bench for the Blue Devils, while adding six points and a pair of blocks. Mobley finished with 27 and added two assists. Cumberlander had 18, and senior Faronte Drakeford had 13 points and seven board in the loss.
The Blue Devils have a quick turnaround, hosting Brown on Monday at 2 p.m. in Detrick Gym.
