Central's Valiant Comeback Shorted at RMU in NEC Quarters
Patterson and Lydon led CCSU with a game-high 16 points.
A valiant fourth quarter comeback that erased a 14-point deficit was not enough to overcome the second-seeded Robert Morris Colonials in the Northeast Conference quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the North Athletic Complex in Moon Township, PA. The Colonials held on, winning 60-54 to advance to the semifinals tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. against #3 St. Francis Brooklyn/#6 LIU Brooklyn.
Juniors Andi Lydon and Kiana Patterson led the Blue Devils with 16 points apiece. Lydon posted her fourth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds and Patterson scored 11 of her 16 points during the tremendous CCSU comeback. Central went on a 12-0 run to cut the RMU lead to 58-54 with 1:53 left in regulation.
The Blue Devils missed a jumper on its next possession and the Colonials ran more time off of the clock after a key offensive rebound. RMU was 2-for-6 from the foul line in the final 20 seconds to conclude Central's season at 7-23.
The Blue Devils trailed 20-8 after a hot first quarter from the Colonials. CCSU committed seven turnovers in the opening 10 minutes of NEC quarterfinal action after Lydon puts the first points on the board with a three-pointer. RMU shot 60.0 percent (9-15) from the floor compared to the Blue Devils 30.0 percent (3-10) shooting start.
Lydon connected on her third triple of the first half on the first possession of the second quarter, causing Robert Morris head coach Charlie Buscaglia to burn a quick time out with just 25 second gone in the second quarter.
Central held the Colonials to just two points until senior Megan Smith broke the silence on a free throw with 1:27 left in the second quarter. CCSU out-scored the Moon Township crew 10-5 in the slow-moving period, cutting what was once a 12-point deficit at the end of the first quarter, down to four points, 22-18 with 2:12 left in the first half.
CCSU trailed 25-18 at the intermission and won the battle of the boards, 20-13. Berube tallied five points, five rebounds and three huge blocks and Lydon led all-scorers with nine points.
Picking up where she left off, Lydon wasted no time hitting her fourth three of the game at the 9:49 mark bringing CCSU to within 25-21 of the NEC Co-Regular Season Champions. Robert Morris chipped away, pounding the ball inside to build its lead back to nine, 38-29, with 3:56 to go at the third period media break.
RMU led 47-34 heading into the final quarter.
CCSU out-scored Robert Morris 20-13 in the final 10 minutes but the upset came to a halt as time expired.
The Blue Devils shot 39.1 percent compared to RMU's 41.1 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Keystone opponent 37-26.
Berube finished with eight rebounds and seven points.
