Men's Basketball Has Streak Stopped at Merrimack

Central Connecticut had its four-game win streak snapped in a 70-54 loss at Merrimack on Thursday in Northeast Conference men's basketball action in North Andover, MA. The Warriors led throughout and clinched the NEC regular season title with the win.

Kellen Amos and Jayden Brown led the Blue Devils with 13 points apiece. CCSU 21-of-62 (.339) from the field overall and 4-of-16 (.250) from three-point range. Central was 8-of-13 (.615) from the foul line.

Jordan Minor had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Warriors. Merrimack shot 26-of-55 (.473) overall and 11-of-25 (.440) from the arc. Merrimack was 7-of-12 (.583) from the foul line.

The Blue Devils close out the regular season at home against Sacred Heart on Saturday.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: CCSU 54, Merrimack 70
Records: CCSU (10-20, 7-8 NEC), MC (14-16, 11-4 NEC)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, MA

KEY MOMENTS

• Merrimack jumped out to a 7-0 lead and held the Blue Devils without a field goal in the opening 4:28. CCSU would trim the deficit to five points, but the Warriors would score eight unanswered points to spark a 7:35-span that they outscored Central, 17-2, and built a 28-8 lead.
• The Blue Devils would not get any closer than 17 points the rest of the half and a layup by Jayden Brown made it 38-19 at the intermission.
• Merrimack would outscore CCSU 14-6 in the opening four minutes and built its largest lead of the night at 52-25 with 15:25 remaining. The lead would not sink below 20 points until just over nine minutes remained.
• Central reeled off seven straight points and after a three-point play by Brown and two foul shots by Amos, the Blue Devils got within 56-41 with 7:48 to play. The Warriors would push the lead back toas much as 69-44 with 4:15 remaining. The Blue Devils outscored Merrimack, 10-1, to close out the game.

QUOTABLE

"Merrimack's zone kept us out of rhythm offensively tonight and they really hurt us from deep with 11 three-pointers," said head coach Patrick Sellers. "Defensively, we weren't aggressive enough in our coverages and it hurt us."

NUMBER TO KNOW

40 – CCSU outrebounded Merrimack, 40-35.

NOTES

• CCSU leads the all-time series, 14-11, but Merrimack swept the season series and has won of the last six meetings.
• Brown posted his third straight game in double-figures and was 6-of-10 from the field. He matched a career-high with nine rebounds.
• Breland had 12 points off the bench and added a personal-high three assists.
• Andre Snoddy grabbed nine rebounds, his fourth straight game with at least nine rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils close out the regular season at home against Sacred Heart on Saturday.