Men's Basketball Shorthanded in Loss to Columbia

Central Connecticut closed out play at the Air Force Reserve Tip Off Tournament presented by Citi at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, falling to Columbia, 82-52. The Blue Devils, who were without a pair of starters in the game, never led dropping their seventh game to open the season. Central is back in action at UMass Lowell on Dec. 1.

Freshman Jamir Reed scored a career-high 14 points to lead the Blue Devils. Classmate Greg Outlaw added 11 points with a team-high seven rebounds, while rookie Xavier Wilson also had a personal-best 12 points. 

Central shot 20-of-57 (.351) for the game from the field and was 7-of-22 (.318) from three-point range. The Lions shot 32-of-59 (.542) for the game and was 11-of-27 (.407) from three-point range. Mike Smith scored 20 points to lead Columbia.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Central Connecticut 52, Columbia 82
Records: CCSU (0-7), COL (2-5)
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• CCSU would hold Columbia scoreless for a three-minute stretch and score five straight points to get within 16-10 after a jumper by freshman Greg Outlaw at the 11:26 mark.
• Columbia hit three straight three-pointers to build a double-figure lead at 26-16 with 9:13 to play in the opening half. 
• Columbia extended its lead following a 13-0 run as part of a stretch outscoring Central 18-3 over a span of 4:30. The Lions led 48-26 at halftime.
• A three-pointer by freshman Jamir Reed would get CCSU within 55-36 early in the second half, but Columbia would outscore CCSU, 16-3, including a run of 10 straight points to open up a 76-39 lead.
• Outlaw would score seven points as CCSU outscored Columbia 13-6 to finish the game.

NUMBER TO KNOW

8 - For the third straight game CCSU committed a season low in turnovers. The Blue Devils committed just eight turnovers, while forcing 11.

NOTES

• The teams were meeting for the first time since Nov. 18, 2000. The all-time series is now tied, 2-2. 
• Reed was named to the All-Tournament Team.
• Sophomore Zach Newkirk finished with a game-high four assists.
• Central, which was playing without a pair of frontline starters in senior Jamir Coleman and sophomore Karrington Wallace, was outrebounded 41-24.
• CCSU had three players in double-figures for the first time this season.

UP NEXT
CCSU is off until Sunday, Dec. 1 when it travels to UMass Lowell.