Blue Devils Fall at Home on Thursday

Central Connecticut women's basketball dropped game one of two with Saint Francis University. The Blue Devils shot 4-13 in the fourth quarter and could not catch up to the Red Flash. Central falls to 4-13 overall and in NEC play. Saint Francis snaps its two game losing streak and jumps to 13-8 overall and 11-4 in conference play.

Belle Lanpher tied a career high 15 points for the third time this season. The freshman played a career high 30 minutes and went 7-10 from the free throw line. Jamey Napoleon scored a season high 11 points on an efficient 5-7 shooting. The forward added 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Senior Ashley Forker also scored in double figures with 10 points on 4-7 shooting.

Saint Francis U received a stellar performance from Karson Swogger, who scored 20 points and knocked down four three-pointers. Lili Benzel, Jada Dapaa, and Jenna Mastellone each contributed 12 points. Kaitlyn Maxwell was the fourth member in double figures with 11 points and 2 blocked shots.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: CCSU 67, SFU 80

Records: CCSU (4-13, 4-13 NEC), Saint Francis U (13-8, 11-4 NEC)

Location: Detrick Gym | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS 

• The Red Flash started off with a bang, going on a quick 7-0 run to begin the game. Forever Toppin ended Central's scoring drought with a layup plus the foul at the 7:52 mark.

• The Blue Devils trailed by 6 nearing the end of the first, until Belle Lanpher hit a jump shot from the elbow with 4 seconds remaining. CCSU trailed 25-21 heading into the second.

• Saint Francis took its largest lead of the game (14) at the 4:15 mark after a bucket from Jada Dapaa.

• Central responded with a three-pointer from Angelique Rodriguez, who missed the previous six games. 

• The Blue Devils shot 40.6% from the floor in the first half, but gave up 46 points to SFU, which is the second most CCSU has given up the first half this season. 

• Senior Ashley Forker cut the lead to just 4 after hitting a pair of free throws with 5:27 to go in the third quarter. She put up 6 points in the quarter and kept Central's deficit to just 6 heading into the fourth.

• Central allowed SFU to go on a 10-2 run in the middle of the final quarter, falling behind by double digits. Karson Swogger hit a three-pointer with 1:10 remaining to expand the Saint Francis lead to 13, not allowing Central to recover.

NUMBER TO KNOW

29 - The Blue Devils grabbed just 29 rebounds in the game, a new season low. It marks the 13th time CCSU has been outrebounded this season.

NOTES 

• Redshirt senior Angelique Rodriguez drilled two three-pointers in her first game back since February 10. She finished with 8 points and 2 blocks.

• Active leading scorer Forever Toppin played a season low 11 minutes and scored 5 points on just 1-3 shooting.

• Jamey Napoleon, the NEC leader in blocked shots, scored a season high 11 points and recorded her 41st block of the season.

• The Blue Devils went just 1-4 from behind the arc in the second half, while Saint Francis hit four three-pointers.

• Central was able to get out in transition, scoring 12 fast break points compared to just 4 for SFU.

Up Next:

The Blue Devils will play its final game of the 2020-21 season against Saint Francis tomorrow at 4:00 pm. Central will honor Tiffany Slicklein, Emma McCamus, Ashley Forker, and Ashley Berube (with Angelique Rodriguez planning to return next season) before tip-off for senior day.

No fans will be in attendance, but the games will stream for free on Necfrontrow.com.