CCSU Finishes Non-Conference Slate at Vermont
Patterson led the way with 16 points for the Blue Devils.
A cold-shooting morning in Burlington, VT for the Central Connecticut women's basketball team allowed Vermont to prevail 62-48 to conclude CCSU's non-conference slate. Juniors Kiana Patterson and Andi Lydon combined for 25 points of the Blue Devils total, including a team-high 16 points from Patterson.
After Thursday's match, Vermont (3-9) snapped its seven-game losing streak and CCSU falls to 0-11 still in search of its first win with NEC play approaching next weekend.
The Blue Devils opened the non-league finale going 4-of-8 from the field and taking a 10-7 lead at the first media timeout. UVM took its first lead of the game, 12-10, at the 3:18 mark after back-to-back jump shots. The Catamounts would finish the quarter on an 11-2 to lead 16-12 heading into the second.
The Blue Devils trailed 29-21 at the half, their lowest first half score of the season. CCSU went 4-of-10 from downtown in the first half and the Catamounts struggled from behind the arc making just 3-for-12.
Junior Denisha Gardener silenced a 7-0 Vermont run to start the second half on a turn-around post move at 7:33, and completed an old-fashioned three-point play at 4:16 sparking a 7-1 Central run. Heading into the fourth quarter the Blue Devils trailed 44-32.
A pair of consecutive three-pointers from UVM's Kristina White and Sydney Smith extended the America East opponent's lead to 24 points, the largest of the game with 4:53 left in regulation. Smith posted a double-double with a game-high 21 points and 10 boards.
The Blue Devils held the America East's leading scorer, Hannah Crymble (19.6 ppg.) to just 14 points.
Lydon notched nine points and pulled down six rebounds. Central connected on just 18-of-61 (.295) from the floor and UVM went 20-for-57 (.351). The Catamounts got to the free throw line 12 more times than CCSU and out-rebounded the Blue Devils 49-34.
The Central Connecticut women's basketball team opens Northeast Conference play next Friday, December 29 on its home court in New Britain, CT against Mount St. Mary's at 5:00 p.m. On Sunday, Central will then host Wagner for New Year's Eve 1:00 p.m. showdown.