Nehls Scores Career-High, Men's Basketball Falls at Fordham

The Central Connecticut men's basketball team dropped its final non-conference game of the season, falling 83-60 at Fordham on Wednesday at Rose Hill Gymnasium. The Blue Devils were led by sophomore Austin Nehls, who poured in a career-high 26 points. 

Central falls to 2-9 on the season, while Fordham is now 6-7 overall. 

CCSU opened the night's scoring with a layup by senior Tidell Pierre on the opening possession, but that was its only lead of the night.

After an inside hoop by Pierre at the 8:23 mark got the Blue Devils within, 22-19, the Rams quickly responded with eight unanswered points. A pair of foul shots by Joseph Chartouny with 7:04 to go in the period made it 30-19.

Fordham would take a 46-23 lead into halftime after holding Central to just one field goal over the final 8:23 of the opening half. The Rams outscored CCSU, 24-4, in that span and allowed just a pair of foul shots by Nehls and a jumper from senior Tafari Whittingham.

The Rams would lead by as much as 60-32 with 14:28 to go before a quick spurt from the Blue Devils would cut into the lead. 

A layup by Nehls and a three-pointer from sophomore Eric Bowles opened a 9-0 run for CCSU. Junior Mustafa Jones followed with a dunk and then threaded a pass to Nehls to make it 65-46.

Consecutive baskets by Fordham would end the run and CCSU would not get closer the rest of the way. Freshman Donyell Marshall Jr. would close out the scoring for the final margin.

Nehls hit five three-pointers and was 8-of-14 from the fineld overall. He added two steals, two assists and a block. Pierre finished with 10 points. Jones and senior Khalen Cumberlander each grabbed a team-high five rebounds.

Central shot 21-of-48 (.438) overall and was 7-of-17 (.412) from three-point range, but was forced into 24 turnovers.

Fordham had four in double-figures led by Javontae Hawkins' 16 points. The Rams shot 56.6 percent (30-of-53) overall and 47.8 (11-of-23) percent on three-pointers.

The Blue Devils begin Northeast Conference play at Wagner on Thursday, Dec. 29.