Men's Basketball Unable to Overcome Hartford, Falling 80-65

The Central Connecticut men's basketball team fell at Hartford, 80-65, on Friday in a non-conference contest at the Reich Family Pavilion. The Blue Devils held an early four-point lead before the Hawks would build a double-digit lead margin it would maintain for the balance of the game. Central returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 8, when it heads to Fairleigh Dickinson to begin conference play.

Central would trim the double-figure deficit to seven points in each half, but Hartford would respond with momentum swinging baskets in both instances.

Junior Tre Mitchell scored a career-high 19 points to lead all scorers, while junior Nigel Scantlebury added 14 points and four assists. Senior Stephane Ayangma and sophomore Greg Outlaw each grabbed six rebounds.

CCSU shot 25-of-57 (.439) from the field in the game and was just 6-of-23 (.261) from the three-point arc. The Blue Devils were 9-of-11 (.818) from the foul line. Central, which entered the game leading the NEC in steals, had just four steals and forced 11 turnovers.

The Hawks finished the game 29-of-64 (.453) from the field overall and 12-of-29 (.414) from three-point range. Hartford was 10-of-15 (.667) from the free throw line. Moses Flowers led five Hawks in double-figures with 16 points, while Austin Williams had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Central Connecticut 65, Hartford 80
Records: CCSU (0-3), Hartford (2-2)
Location: Chase Arena | West Hartford, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• The three-point shot was falling early-going as the Blue Devils hit three treys in the opening minutes to build an early lead. CCSU led 13-10 after a jumper by junior Ian Krishnan with 12:33 to go in the half.
• Hartford would use an 11-3 run to build a 28-20 lead after a three-pointer by D.J. Mitchell. The Hawks would extend to 34-22 following back-to-back three-pointers, forcing a CCSU timeout with 2:27 to play in the half.
• Central would respond with a three-point play by sophomore Greg Outlaw and three-pointer by Krishnan to make it 35-40. CCSU had a chance to make it a one-possession game before halftime, but a missed shot was picked up by and Flowers picked up the rebound and made a layup just before the buzzer to make it 37-30 at the break.
• CCSU would get within 48-41 with 12:34 to play, but Hartford responded with back-to-back three pointers to push its lead back to double-digits and Central would not get closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

QUOTABLE

"We have to do a better job of playing together," said head coach Donyell Marshall. "We had too many turnovers, we just have to share the ball a little bit better and play better on the defensive end."

NUMBER TO KNOW

9 - For the third straight game, Central had nine players score a field goal in the game.

NOTES

• CCSU leads the all-time series, 30-20, but Hartford has won the last two meetings in the series.
• Mitchell finished the game shooting 7-of-11 from the field (2-of-5 from three-point range). He added two rebounds, an assist, steal and blocked shot.
• Scantlebury was 4-of-6 from the field and added four assists, three rebounds and a steal.
• Hartford outrebounded CCSU, 36-30, but the Blue Devils had a 7-6 edge in second chance scoring.

Central will open Northeast Conference play on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Fairleigh Dickinson. Additional non-conference games and any schedule changes will be announced as they become available.