Women's Basketball Comes Up Short At New Hampshire, 56-52
Three Blue Devils scored in double-digits, including a double-double from senior Giocelis Reynoso, with 13 rebounds and 10 points.
The Central Connecticut women's basketball team came up short in its final game of the non-conference at New Hampshire on Wednesday afternoon, 56-52. Three Blue Devils scored in double-figures, including a double-double from senior Giocelis Reysnoso, with 13 rebounds and 10 points. Sophomore Kiana Patterson had 14 points, and fellow classmate Andi Lydon notes 13 points and nine rebounds for CCSU.
The Blue Devils shot well from floor making 36.5% of their overall attempts, and UNH connected on 25-of-61 of its field goals. Central heads into Northeast Conference play with an overall record of (1-10), and the Wildcats end the non-conference at (8-3).
Freshman Cebria Outlow gave the Blue Devil their first basket of the game at 8:35 with a corner three, off of a feed from Patterson. The Wildcats missed a series of open looks, going 0-for-9 in the opening five minutes. UNH's Kristen Anderson connected on a three-pointer to put an end to the drought with 3:01 left in the period, but was answered on the other end by another Outlow three.
In the first quarter CCSU out-rebounded UNH, 15-10, led by sophomore Lydon with seven rebounds. New Hampshire struggled from the floor, shooting 2-for-16 (12.5%), and trailed the Blue Devils, 10-5, after 10 minutes of Wednesday afternoon action.
UNH out-scored Central in the second quarter, 18-14, sparked by Anderson connecting on two more Wildcat three-pointers, and Carlie Pogue chipping in six points. After calling a timeout with the game tied at 15 with 6:42 on clock, and the Blue Devils responded by going on a 6-0 run. In the stretch, Outlow and fellow rookie, Taylor Goode, made layups in transition, and Aleah Epps hit classmaste Giocelis Reynoso for a post feed and lay-in.
At the half Central held a 24-17 advantage on the boards over the Wildcats. CCSU shot 9-for-26 (34.6%), compared to a 10-for-32 (31.3%) effort from the Wildcats.
Both teams traded baskets to start the second half, with Central's, Patterson, and New Hampshire's Anderson draining two three's apiece. UNH gained some momentum heading into the final quarter off of eight points from Kat Fogarty.
New Hampshire took its first lead since the 2:02 mark in the second quarter, when Pogue and Carloine Soucy made layups to start the fourth, changing the score to, 44-41, UNH. Central tied the game back up at, 44-44, with 5:07 left in regulation, when Lydon found Outlow on a back-door cut, who then fed Reynoso in the lane for two.
Lydon hit a clutch three with 3:09 to go in the contest, and connected on 3-for-4 free throws in the final five minutes, to tie the game again, at 52 all. However, after a pair of missed jumpshots, and three tough post shots from Pogue, the Blue Devils could not outlast the Wildcats.
Pogue notched a game-high 18 points, and Fogarty added 11. Kiana Patterson tied her season high in three point field goals made (4), while Outlow and Epps dished out four assists each. The two squads matched each other on the boards, snatching 36 through 40 minutes of play.
Central Connecticut will open NEC action on Dec. 29 at home, inside Detrick Gymnasium, as they take on the visiting Wagner Seahawks at 7 p.m.