Men's Basketball Pushes NC State Before Falling in Second Half
The Central Connecticut men's basketball led NC State at halftime and hung tight through much of the second half before falling, 79-65, on Tuesday at the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Blue Devils led 33-32 at halftime and were within a point midway through the second half before NC State got breathing room with a 13-0 run.
Junior Tre Mitchell led a trio of Blue Devils in double-figures with 14 points. Senior Stephane Ayangma added 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while freshman Trenton McLaughlin scored 13 points. CCSU shot 22-of-55 (.400) from the field and 9-of-24 (.375) from three-point range.
Dereon Seabrong led NC State with 24 points and nine rebounds. The Wolfpack shot 27-of-60 (.450) from the field and was 11-of-23 (.478) from three-point range. NC State outrebounded CCSU, 40-35.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: CCSU 65, NC State 79
Records: CCSU (0-3, 0-0 NEC), NCSU (3-0, 0-0 ACC)
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, CT
KEY MOMENTS
- The Blue Devils tied the game, 5-5, on a layup by junior Nigel Scantlebury in the early-going before NC State went on a quick spurt. The Wolfpack would hit three straight three-pointers and would build a 14-7 lead with 15:29 to go in the period.
- CCSU responded by holding NC State scoreless for over six minutes and scored seven straight points. Junior Ian Krishnan hit a three-pointer at the 11:47 mark to tie the game and the Blue Devils would take their first lead of the game at 17-15 on a jumper by junior Zach Newkir. NC State missed 11 straight shots and went 8:25 without a field goal, while Central would lead by as much as 25-19 in the opening half.
- Dereon Seabron would score five straight points for the Wolfpack to help trim the Central advantage to 33-32 at the intermission.
- The Wolfpack regained the lead on the opening possession of the second half and would outscore CCSU, 10-2 in the opening 1:59 to build a 42-35 lead and force a Central timeout. The Blue Devils would get within 54-53 after a three-pointer by freshman Trenton McLaughlin, but they were unable to get any closer. The Wolfpack would hit six straight shots midway through the second half and go on a 13-0 run to build a double-digit advantage.
- Central would end the Wolfpack run with a pair of foul shots by junior Tre Mitchell, but CCSU would go nearly eight minutes without a field goal before a Mitchell three-pointer with 1:29 to play.
NUMBER TO KNOW
14 - The Blue Devils were able to take care of the ball, committing a season-low in turnovers.
NOTES
- CCSU and NC State were meeting for the first time.
- Central's 33-32 lead at the break marked its first halftime lead of the season.
- The Blue Devils had three players score in double-figures for the first time this season.
- Mitchell scored 10 of his points after halftime and was 6-of-8 from the foul line.
- McLaughlin went 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-6 from the arc to score a career-high in the young season.
- CCSU was 12-of-19 (.632) at the foul line, while NC State was 14-of-23 (.609) at the charity stripe.
NUMBER TO KNOW
The Blue Devils play UMass Lowell on Wednesday to conclude play at the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase.
