Central Grabs First NEC Win

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team earned its first conference victory of the season on Saturday evening with a 69-57 win over Wagner.  The Blue Devils (7-9, 1-4 NEC) were led by four players who scored in double-digits.

The Blue Devils took control of the game in the first half behind the inside play of junior Kirsten Daamen and the perimeter play of sophomore Jessica Babe.  Babe led all scorers with 12 points thanks to perfect shooting in the period.  Babe went five-for-five from the field, including hitting both of her three point attempts.

Daamen scored 10 points in the post.  She was five-of-10 from the floor, with Jessica Babe assisting on four of her five baskets.  Junior Brooke Bailey had the assist on Daamen's other score in the half.

Sophomore Lauren Arbogast grabbed six rebounds in the period with four coming on the offensive glass.

The Blue Devils largest lead of the first half came with 8:15 remaining in the period.  Bailey hit a layup that stretched Central's advantage to 25-12.  Wagner fell behind 7-0 and never held the lead in the first half.

In the second half, Wagner closed the gap to six with 4:22 remaining in the game.  Central answered with  three pointers on three straight possessions.  Jessica Babe hit the first and junior Jaclyn Babe followed with a pair of her own.  The three point barrage stretched the Blue Devil lead to 65-52.

Jessica Babe hit a pair of free throws and Arbogast and Daamen each followed with a free throw in the final minutes to put the game away.

For the second time this season the Blue Devils finished with four players sporting double-digit point totals, led by Jessica Babe's 19.  Jaclyn Babe finished with 15 points, and Arbogast and Daamen each contributed 11.

Solid free throw shooting helped the Blue Devils maintain their lead in the second half.  Arbogast and Bailey each went 5-for-6 at the free throw line, with 10 of their free throws coming in the second half.

As a team the Blue Devils shot 46.2% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc.  Jessica Babe finished seven-of-10 from the field and a perfect three-of-three from long range.

Every Blue Devil that played recorded at least one rebound, led by Arbogast's eight boards.  Central outrebounded Wagner 33-27.

The Blue Devils will continue their road trip with a Monday night game at Mount St. Mary's.