Malone Powers Women's Basketball Past Fairleigh Dickinson Monday, 78-75

Senior TeJahne Malone hit three-of-four foul shots over the final 17 seconds and finished with a career-high 25 points to lead the Central Connecticut women's basketball team over the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights on Monday night, 78-75, to get the Blue Devils their first win in Northeast Conference action. Malone also pulled down 12 rebounds in the win to record her second double-double of the season as the Blue Devils improve to 4-11 overall and 1-3 in the NEC.

The Blue Devils trailed the Knights (4-13, 1-3 NEC), 38-34, at halftime, but came out of the locker room and went on an 11-2 run to take the lead, 45-40, with six minutes to play in the third quarter. Malone capped the run hitting a three from the left wing, her second of the season.

The Blue Devils would never trail again in the game as they extended their run to 18-5 and outscored the Knights 26-13 in the third period to take a 60-51 advantage heading into the final period. Malone had 11 points in the third stanza and junior Aleah Epps added seven including a huge three pointer just before time expired.

The Knights would not go down easily however, and slowly chipped into the Blue Devils lead throughout the fourth quarter. After Central built their largest lead of the game, 73-61, with 4:34 to play in the game, the Knights went on a huge 10-0 run to get within two, 73-71, with 1:39 to play.

The Blue Devils and Malone answered though as the senior halted the run making a layup on CCSU's next possession and would hit three-of-four free throws over the final 17 seconds to secure the 78-75 victory for the Blue Devils.

Malone finished with a career-high 25 points and also pulled down a team-high 12 boards for the Blue Devils to earn her second double-double of the season. She also contributed five assists and fives steals in the victory.

Malone was joined in double-figures by Epps and freshman Kiana Patterson who finished with 13 points and 10 points, respectively. The duo also chipped in with four assist each and Patterson had a season-high six rebounds.

The Blue Devils shot 40.7% (22-54) from the field including 42.9% (9-21) from beyond the arc. They were also excellent from the free throw line converting 25-of-32 attempts, good for 78.1%.

The CCSU women's basketball team will return to action next on Saturday as they complete a tough three-game NEC road trip at the Wagner Seahawks in Staten Island, NY. Tip-off between the Blue Devils and Seahawks is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside the Spiro Center in a NEC double-header with the CCSU men's team to follow.