Women’s Hoop Loses to LIU Brooklyn

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team fell to LIU Brooklyn by a score of 59-48 on Monday night at Detrick Gym. The Blue Devils (9-13, 3-9 NEC) shot 53.6% from the floor in the second half, but the effort was not enough to overcome the Blackbirds' (6-17, 4-8 NEC) 19-point halftime lead.

The Blue Devils were led by senior Jessica Babe who scored a team-high 14 points. Babe scored 12 of her points in the second half as she helped CCSU climb back from a poor first half.

Poor shooting and a season-high 19 first half turnovers limited the Blue Devil offense to just 13 first half points. LIU capitalized with 16 points off turnovers and dominated under the basket with 28 points in the paint.

In the second half the Blue Devils outscored the Blackbirds 35-27, behind an excellent 53.6% shooting mark. CCSU was 15-of-28 from the floor in the period, two-of-seven from behind the arc and three-of-three at the free throw line.

Senior Jaleen Thomas was CCSU's second leading scorer in the second period. Thomas dropped in seven points on three-of-three shooting. She picked up her seventh point on an and-one play with 12:34 left in the game.

Junior Johnna Fisher contributed six points, four in the second half, and had five rebounds and two steals.

Junior Kaley Watras had eight points and led CCSU with four assists.

LIU's Cleandra Roberts scored a game-high 26 points on 12-of-22 shooting. She also grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.

The Blue Devils trailed by 19 points at the half and fell behind by as many as 27 points in the second half. Despite trailing by 27 with 13:25 remaining the Blue Devils continued to fight and cut the LIU lead to just eight points with 2:17 left in the game.

However, the Blackbirds were able to hold the Blue Devils off over the final two minutes.

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday at Robert Morris. CCSU will then play at Saint Francis U on Monday night. The Blue Devils will be back in New Britain on Feb. 22 when they host Sacred Heart.