Women's Basketball Looks to Clinch NEC Tournament Berth vs. Mount St. Mary's Monday Night

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team (10-16, 7-8 NEC) can clinch a spot in the 2016 NEC Tournament with a win as they host the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers (7-19, 5-10 NEC) inside Detrick Gym on Monday night. Tip-off between the Blue Devils and Mountaineers is scheduled for 7 p.m. and all of the action can be seen live, for free, on NECFrontRow.com.

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Tonight • The Central Connecticut women's basketball team (10-16, 7-8 NEC) looks to clinch a spot in the 2016 NEC Tournament with a win as they host the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers (7-19, 5-10 NEC) on Play 4Kay night inside Detrick Gymnasium. Tip-off between the Blue Devils and Mountaineers is scheduled for 7 p.m. and all of the action can be seen live, for free, on NECFrontRow.com.

Win And In • The Blue Devils can clinch a spot in the NEC Tournament for the second straight year if they can defeat the Mount on Monday night. They can also lock up a berth with a St. Francis Brooklyn Terrier loss. If either case prevails, it will mark the sixth trip to the NEC Tournament for the Blue Devils under head coach Beryl Piper's watch.

Play 4Kay • Tonight the CCSU women's basketball team will wear pink in honor of coach Kay Yow and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Coach Yow, former North Carolina State University head women's basketball coach, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and passed away on January 24, 2009, after facing her third bout with the disease. The 2016 Play 4Kay initiative is an opportunity for a nation of coaches to raise awareness and funds for women's cancer research on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. Since its inception in 2007, the Play 4Kay initiative has helped the Kay Yow Cancer Fund support $5.18 million in women's cancer research and related projects.

Last Time Out • The Blue Devils were upset by the Wagner Seahawks at home on Saturday, 64-63. Wagner's Jasmine Nwajei converted on a layup with 1.7 seconds remaining in the game to give the Seahawks the dramtic victory. The Blue Devils had one last possession to try and win the game, but an Emma Stroyan three-pointer caromed off the back iron as the final buzzer sounded. Nwajei, the nation's leading scorer, had 40 points for the Seahawks in the victory. Senior TeJahne Malone recorded her fifth double-double for CCSU with 11 points and a season-high 15 rebounds.

Series History (11-23) • Tonight's matchup marks the 35th meeting all-time between these two programs at the Division I level. The Mountaineers hold a commanding 23-11 advantage in the series, including a 54-48 victory earlier this season in Emmitsburg, MD.

Piper vs. the Mount • Head Coach Beryl Piper is 7-7 against the Mountaineers all-time in her ninth season at the helm of the Blue Devils. She has been successful at home though, registering a 5-2 mark against the Mount inside Detrick Gym.

Earlier This Season • The Blue Devils were outscored 24-10 in the paint as the Mount Saint Mary's Mountaineers shot 50.0% (19-38) on their way to a 54-48 victory over CCSU back on Jan. 9. Senior TeJahne Malone led the way for the Blue Devils with 13 points and eight rebounds. She also added three steals. Freshman Kiana Patterson joined Malone in double-figures with 12 points and chipped in with three assists in the setback. The Mount had three players in double-figures led by Alexis Carter who finished with 13.

Scouting the Mountaineers • The Mount is 7-19 overall, 5-10 in the NEC and sport a 3-11 record on the road so far this season. They average 57.0 ppg as a team and are led by Alexis Carter who averages 13.3 ppg. Jessica Harris joins Carter in double-figures, averaging 10.3 ppg. Carter and Harris both like to shoot the three and combined they have taken over half of the teams attempts from long range. Harris shoots it at 29.9% (29-97) and Carter converts at a 26.8% (33-123) clip. The duo is also the teams leading rebounders with Carter at 6.8 rpg and Harris at 5.8 rpg. The Blue Devils will also have to keep an eye on Sarafina Arthur-Williams who pulls down 5.5 rpg.

Up Next For CCSU • Central will return to action next as it hosts Fairleigh Dickinson in its regualr season finale and senior day next Saturday. Prior to the 1 p.m. game the Blue Devils will honor their three graduating seniors. All of the action can be seen live, for free, on NECFrontRow.com.