Wade and Oglesby Post Career-High Scoring Efforts in 76-63 CCSU Home Win Over Robert Morris

Junior P.J. Wade scored a career-high 27 points to lead Central Connecticut (14-8, 9-3) in a 76-63 Northeast Conference home win over Robert Morris (12-11, 8-3). Freshman Gabrielle Oglesby added a season-best 17 points in the win, CCSU's first against the Colonials since Jan. 15, 2005. The Blue Devils have now moved into sole possession of second place in the league standings.

With the game tied at 14-14 with 11:04 remaining in the first half, Central Connecticut used a 23-8 run to pull away. The Blue Devils maintained their advantage for the remainder of the game, holding off a late Robert Morris rally that drew the Colonials within four points with less than two minutes left. CCSU made 9-of-13 free throws and held Robert Morris scoreless over the final 1:53 to seal the victory.

Central Connecticut started the game 3-of-3 from the field, with the last make turning into a four-point play for Wade, to build an early 9-4 lead, but the Blue Devils then missed seven straight shots. Robert Morris took a 10-9 lead during the stretch. Senior Jhanay Harris ended the drought with a three-pointer, which was answered by a triple from RMU senior Sade Logan. Wade broke the 14-14 tie with her second three-pointer of the half to give Central Connecticut the lead for good.

Wade's three started Central Connecticut's 23-8 run, which gave the Blue Devils their largest lead of the first half. Logan hit a jumper in the final 30 seconds to make it a 37-24 game at the break.

CCSU shot 13-of-32 (40.6 percent) while limiting Robert Morris to 8-of-32 (25.0 percent). Wade had 15 points to pace Central Connecticut, while Logan had 11 to lead Robert Morris. Led by sophomore Leanne Crockett, the Blue Devils outrebounded RMU, 28-19, over the opening 20 minutes. Crockett had nine first half boards. Freshman Shontice Simmons added eight points, six rebounds and two assists for Central Connecticut.

Robert Morris opened the second half with a 7-1 run and held Central Connecticut without a field goal for the first 3:48. Wade and Oglesby helped get the double-digit lead back intact for the Blue Devils. Oglesby made a pair of free throws to make it 44-33. The two points were the first of eight between the 15:23 and 11:32 marks. Wade, who hit a three-pointer during that stretch, scored four points over the two minutes proceeding Oglesby's efforts.

Junior Monet Johnson cut the margin to single digits with a pair of free throws at the 7:03 mark, and senior Kendra Williams followed with a three-pointer to draw the Colonials to within 59-54 on RMU's next possession. Williams hit another three after a Wade jumper to make it a four-point spread. The Colonials would stay within four until Oglesby hit the first of nine Blue Devil free throws over the final 1:35.

Oglesby finished the game 9-of-10 from the free throw line. She also had seven rebounds and two steals. Wade, who shot 9-of-15 from the field, added seven boards and two steals to her line, too. She made a career-best 4-of-6 three-pointers. Dugan added seven points, a season-best 10 rebounds and a career-high seven assists, while Simmons had 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.

As a team, CCSU held a 48-42 rebounding advantage and scored 21 points off 13 Robert Morris turnovers.

Logan had 23 points and seven rebounds to lead the Colonials. Williams added a career-best 22 points and seven rebounds, while Johnson had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Blue Devil win snapped RMU's current seven-game winning and broke a streak of eight straight CCSU losses against the Colonials.

Central Connecticut will look for a third straight win when St. Francis (PA) comes to New Britain for a 7 p.m. affair on Monday, Feb. 9.