Balanced Attack Lifts Men's Basketball Over FDU in Overtime

The Central Connecticut men's basketball had five players score in double-figures and outlasted FDU, 91-82, in overtime in Northeast Conference action at the Detrick Gymnasium on Saturday. The Blue Devils erased an eight point halftime deficit and sent the game to overtime with a putback to end regulation. In overtime, Central shot 4-of-6 from the field and got 10 points from senior Nigel Scantlebury to earn the victory.

Scantlebury had a career-high 27 points, along with five assists and just one turnovers, while freshman Andre Snoddy matched a personal-best with 18 points and grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds for his third straight double-double. Juniors Tre Mitchell and Ian Krishnan had 13 and 12 points, respectively, while senior Stephane Ayangma had 10 points. Central shot 32-of-64 (.500) overall and went 11-of-22 (.500) on three-pointers. The Blue Devils went 16-of-20 (.800) at the foul line.

Anquan Hill and Brandon Rush had 18 points apiece to lead FDU. The Knights shot 27-of-59 (.458) overall and 8-of-22 (.364) from three-point range. FDU was 20-of-30 (.667) from the foul line.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: CCSU 91, FDU 82
Records: CCSU (6-18, 4-8 NEC), FDU (2-17, 3-9 NEC)
Location: Detrick Gymnasium | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• A three-pointer by Krishnan gave Central a 12-11 in the early going. FDU would respond over a seven minute span by outscoring Central to amass a 27-16 lead. A dunk by Rush at the 7:06 mark gave the Knights a double-digit cushion.
• FDU would push its lead to as much as 36-21 in the opening period and held a 13-point advantage with 40 seconds to go in the half. Scantlebury would hit a driving layup with 0:24 to go before an FDU turnover with eight seconds left gave CCSU one more possession. The Blue Devils took advantage with a three-pointer by freshman Joe Ostrowsky as time expired to make it 40-32 at the intermission.
• Central scored the opening six points of the second half to make it a one-possession game. The Blue Devils would finally draw even following a three-pointer by Mitchell and two foul shots from Scantlebury to make it 48-48 with 16:18 to play. A putback by sophomore Arian Dehnavi on the next possession gave CCSU a 50-48 lead.
• The Knights regained a 60-52 lead with 11:42 to play after rolling off a 10-0 run. CCSU would keep the game within reach and managed to tie it at 66-all after a Scantlebury three with 3:41 to play. Neither team would lead by more than two points the rest of the way. FDU took a 73-71 lead with 0:08 to play following a foul shot by Hill. On the final play of the game, Snoddy would get a putback to fall just before the horn to tie the game at 73-73.
• In the extra session, Scantlebury had a personal 6-0 run to put CCSU ahead 82-78 with 1:46 to play. Krishnan would hit a three-pointer and the Blue Devils would go 6-of-6 from the foul line, while forcing two FDU turnovers and holding the Knights to 1-of-3 shooting in that span to seal the win.

NUMBER TO KNOW

5 - Central had five players in double-figures for the first time since Feb. 25, 2021 against Wagner.

NOTES

• FDU leads the series 29-22. The Knights won the season's first meeting 75-55 on Jan. 30.
• Scantlebury went 7-of-11 from the field and was 10-of-11 from the foul line.
• Snoddy posted his third straight double-double and fourth of the season. He added a game-high seven assists and played all 45 minutes. He shot 8-of-14 from the field.
• Ayangma added eight rebounds, two steals and two assists.
• Krishnan was 4-of-4 on three-pointers. He now has 1,013 career points and 193 career three-pointers, which ranks third and second among active NEC players, respectively. He posted a game-high +19 plus/minus mark.
• CCSU outscored FDU, 59-42, after halftime. Over their past three home games, CCSU has limited its opponents to just 26-of-84 (.309) shooting after halftime and outscored them, 112-72.
• Prior to the game, the Blue Devils welcomed the family of former Director of Academic Center for Student-Athlete Kevin Oliva. It was announced that the MVP award of the Blue-White scrimmage beginning next season will be given in his honor moving forward.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils travel to Merrimack on Thursday, Feb. 10.