Second Half Rally Sinks Men's Basketball at Saint Francis U

The Central Connecticut men's basketball fell at Saint Francis U, 84-77, on Thursday at DeGol Arena in Loretto, PA. Four Blue Devils scored in double-figures and they hit 11 three-pointers as a team, but the Red Flash shot 55 percent from the field after halftime to erase a 21-point CCSU lead. Central slips to 2-21 overall and 1-9 in the NEC, while SFU moves to 13-8 overall and 6-4 in the NEC.

Sophomore Ian Krishnan hit four three-pointers in the first half for the second straight game and finished with a team-high 18 points. Freshmen Miles Baker and Trey Tennyson came off the bench for 16 and 15 points, respectively, while freshman Greg Outlaw scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Blue Devils shot 29-of-62 (.468) overall and 11-of-25 (.440) from the arc, while going 8-of-10 (.800) at the foul line. CCSU had 14 assists against 13 turnovers, but was outrebounded 43-30.

Mark Flagg led four Red Flash in double-figures with 19 points, while Isaiah Blackmon finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. SFU shot 30-of-65 (.462) overall and was 6-of-19 (.316). The Red Flash went 18-of-25 (.720) at the foul line.

CCSU goes to Robert Morris on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. contest.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Central Connecticut 77, Saint Francis U 84
Records: CCSU (2-21, 1-9 NEC), SFU (13-8, 6-4 NEC)
Location: DeGol Arena| Loretto, PA

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Devils opened the game scoring the first seven points. Krishnan hit a three-pointer, followed by back-to-back layups by Outlaw to make it 7-0 just over two minutes into the game.
• Central would hold SFU to just one field goal during a six-minute span. The Blue Devils outscored the Red Flash 17-6 during that span and built a 39-25 lead. Krishnan and Baker combined for three straight trifectas to open the scoring spurt.
• The Blue Devils closed the half on a 10-2 run, including seven straight points. Baker hit a three-pointer just before the halftime horn to make it 49-29 at the intermission.
• CCSU extended its lead to 59-38 with 16:02 to play following a layup by freshman Jamir Reed. The Red Flash responded with a 17-0 run over a 6:18 span to get within 59-57.
• Tennyson gave the Blue Devils their last lead of the night at 73-70 after a three-pointer with 2:51 to play. The Red Flash got back-to-back three-pointers from Ramiir Dixon-Conover to take the lead for good. CCSU got within a point with 1:41 to play, but SFU went 6-of-6 at the foul line, while holding the Blue Devils to just one field goal in the final 1:06.

NUMBER TO KNOW

7 - The Blue Devils committed a season-low seven turnovers, while combining for 20 assists as a team.

NOTES

• The Red Flash have won five straight in the series and now lead the all-time series, 23-22.
• CCSU had four players in double-figures for the second straight game and third time this season.
• Krishnan was 4-of-5 from three-point range in the first half. Over the past two games he has combined to go 9-of-10 from three-point range in the opening half.
• Tennyson scored a personal-high on 5-of-7 from the floor with three-pointers. 
• Baker matched a career-high in scoring to go with five rebounds and three assists. He tied a personal-high with four three-pointers.
• Senior Tyler Rowe, sophomore Zach Newkirk, freshman Xavier Wilson and Baker each had three assists.
• CCSU shot 59.4% (19-of-32) from the field in the first half, its best mark on the season. CCSU also hit 9-of-12 three-pointers in the half en route to scoring a season-high 49 points in the opening half.
• The CCSU bench outscored Saint Francis, 39-4. The Blue Devils' reserves have combined to outscore their opponents' 80-15 in the past two games.

UP NEXT
CCSU goes to Robert Morris on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. contest.