Men's Basketball Slumps to Wagner in Second Half, 68-56

The Central Connecticut men's basketball team was unable to hold onto its halftime lead and fell at Wagner, 68-56, on Friday night at the Spiro Sports Center. Central led by six at halftime, but the Seahawks shot 53.6% from the field in the second half to rally past CCSU. The Blue Devils slip to 5-24 overall and 3-13 in the NEC, while Wagner is 7-19 overall and 4-11 in the NEC.

Senior Jamir Coleman was the only Blue Devil in double-figures with 11 points. Central 19-of-47 (.404) from the field and 7-of-18 (.389) from three-point range. CCSU was 11-of-18 (.611) at the foul line.

Elijah Ford led three Seahawks in double-figures with 18 points. Wagner shot 27-of-55 (491) in the game and 6-of-17 (.353) from the arc. Wagner was 8-of-12 (667) at the foul line and held a 33-29 rebounding edge.

Central plays at Merrimack on Feb. 27.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Central Connecticut 56, Wagner 68
Records: CCSU (4-25, 3-13 NEC), Wagner (7-19, 4-11 NEC)
Location: Spiro Sports Center | Staten Island, NY

KEY MOMENTS

• Central held Wagner scoreless for over three minutes and built an early 12-7 lead. A three-pointer by freshman Xavier Wilson was followed by a jumper by sophomore Zach Newkirk with 11:19 in the half.
• CCSU opened up an eight-point lead late in the first half after consecutive three-pointers. Sophomore Ian Krishnan and sophomore Zach Newkirk made it 26-18 with 4:31 in the half.
• The Blue Devils would lead by double-figures after a three-pointer by Newkirk made it 31-20 with just under four minutes to go in the half. The Seahawks would respond by outscoring CCSU, 9-2, before a running jumper by senior Jamir Coleman just before the halftime horn made it 35-29 at the intermission.
• Wagner made its first five shots of the second half to cut the Blue Devils lead to 40-39. A Will Martinez layup with just under 15 minutes left put Wagner ahead 41-40. The Seahaws would stretch the lead to 51-42 with 11 minutes to go after a 14-2 run that included 10 straight points. CCSU was unable to get closer than seven in the final 10 minutes.

NUMBER TO KNOW

10 - The Blue Devils were forced into 10 turnovers in the second half and 17 in the game. Wagner turned them into 21 points.

NOTES

• The teams split two meetings this year with each team winning on its home court. Wagner leads the all-time series, 30-20.
• CCSU had a 23-8 advantage in bench scoring and in the last 8 games, CCSU has outscored its opponents 290-144. Central entered the game with 26.4 ppg from its bench this season.
• Freshman Xavier Wilson scored nine points with five rebounds. Freshman Jamir Reed had a team-high seven rebounds.

UP NEXT
Central plays at Merrimack on Feb. 27.