Slicklein Sets New Career-High, Mount Outshoots Central 84-53 Monday

In a battle for its first Northeast Conference win of the season for either team, the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers (7-8, 1-3 NEC) outshot Central Connecticut (3-11, 0-4 NEC) 84-53 on Monday night. Sophomore Tiffany Slicklein played well on both sides of the ball finishing with a career-high 17 points, four rebounds, and career-high seven steals.

The Mount shot a solid 51.6 percent (32-62) including 44.0 percent (11-25) from three-point range, as Central connected on just 20-of-60 (33.3 percent) shots and 2-of-14 (14.3 percent) from deep.

A rough shooting night in Emmitsburg, MD as the Blue Devils opened the game making just two if its eight first shots. Slicklein knocked down a corner three to open the game for Central followed by a basket by classmate Ashley Berube to tie the game 5-5. The Mountaineers then went on a 21-0 run to close out the first quarter with a 26-5 lead.

Berube went to work inside connecting on 4-of-5 shots in the second quarter, but the Mount continued to shoot well, especially behind the arc, to extend the lead 39-9 with 6:17 to play. The Blue Devils continued to fight, getting four straight defensive stops following the second quarter media timeout. Central forced seven Mount turnovers in the first half but could not convert on the offensive end.

CCSU entered the locker room trailing 49-15 at half shooting just 6-of-26 (23.1 percent) and 1-8 (12.5 percent) from three-point range. MSM shot 47.4 percent (18-36) including 50.0 percent (8-16) from deep.

Despite the deficit, the Blue Devils fought hard in the second half led by Slicklein and sophomore Ashley Forker. Central went on a 5-0 run with a basket by Berube and corner three-pointer by senior Sydney Hines as Mount led 58-25 with 4:12 to play in the third. With eight points by Forker Central won the third quarter 18-16.

Central entered the final 10 minutes of action down 65-33 but showed solid effort on the defensive end forcing 12 Mountaineers turnovers in the fourth. The Blue Devils went on a 9-0 run holding the Mount scoreless for four straight minutes. Slicklein recorded five steals and 12 points as CCSU outscored MSM 20-19.

Berube recorded her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds along with two blocks. Forker finished the game with eight points on 4-of-5 (80 percent) shooting along with four rebounds and four assists. Senior Kiana Patterson had four steals.

The Mount had four players hit double-figures led by Juliette Lawless who scored 21 points after shooting 8-10 (80 percent) from the field.

Central Connecticut is back at home for a double-header with the men's team on Saturday, Jan. 19 in New Britain, CT hosting Saint Francis U at 1 p.m.