Men's Basketball Falls Behind Late at LIU, Falling 87-74

Central Connecticut fell at LIU, 87-74, on Saturday night in Northeast Conference men's basketball action at the Steinberg Wellness Center. The Blue Devils dressed just seven players, but the Sharks were unable to pull away until a late run pushed the margin to double-figures

Central is now 4-14 overall and 4-11 in the Northeast Conference, while LIU moved to 8-7 overall and in the NEC

Sophomore Myles Baker hit six three-pointers and scored a game-high 23 points, while senior Stephane Ayangma and junior Zach Newkirk each chipped in 14 points. The Blue Devils shot 27-of-65 (.415) overall and were 8-of-30 (.267) from three-point range. The Blue Devils converted 12-of-21 (.571) from the foul line.

Ty Flowers led four Sharks in double-figures with 20 points. He added 10 rebounds, while Eral Penn finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Sharks shot 36-of-75 (.480) overall and 7-of-30 (.233) from three-point range. LIU was 8-of-12 (.667) at the foul line.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: CCSU  74, LIU 87
Records: CCSU (4-14, 4-11 NEC), LIU (8-7, 8-7 NEC)
Location: Steinberg Wellness Center | Brooklyn, NY

KEY MOMENTS

• LIU scored the first four points and had the lead throughout, but the Blue Devils were within 24-23 with 9:03 to go in the opening period after a Baker layup. The Sharks responded with a 15-2 surge, including 13 straight points, over a four-minute span to build a 37-23 lead.
• A pair of consecutive treys by Baker would help CCSU get back within 39-33 with 2:20 to go in the opening period. After two LIU baskets, Baker would hit another three-pointer to make it 43-36 at the intermission.
• The Blue Devils kept the margin within single-digits until midway through the second half. A Newkirk layup with 16:16 to play had CCSU within, 47-45. Central was within 60-55 before LIU scored seven straight as part of a 9-2 run to take a 69-57 lead with 9:36 to play. The Sharks would maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

NUMBER TO KNOW

7 - The Blue Devils had just seven players in uniform on Saturday. CCSU was without its top two scorers and has yet to have a full roster dressed for a game this season.

NOTES

• LIU leads the all-time series 28-21 and has won six straight meetings.
• Baker played 39 minutes, a career-high, and finished with a career-high six three-pointers. He became the first Blue Devil with 5+ treys in a game since he had five vs. Bryant on Feb. 15, 2020.
• Ayangma shot 6-of-12 from the field and finished just a point off of his career-high set against LIU last season.
• Newkirk posted his third double-figure scoring game of the season.
• Sophomore Xavier Wilson had nine rebounds, a career-high, to lead CCSU. He also had a career-high five steals. He is the first Blue Devil with 5+ steals in a game since Khalen Cumberlander (5) vs. UMass Lowell on Dec. 18, 2016.
• Five Blue Devils played 30+ minutes, and Wilson played 29.
• CCSU had a season-high 13 steals. Wilson led the team with five, while Ayangma added a career-high four.
• Central started the game 1-of-11 on three-pointers, but would then hit 3-of-4 late in the first half. Baker connected on all four of the three-pointers.

UP NEXT

Central and LIU will play again on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The game streams are live and for free on NECFrontRow.com.