Men's Basketballs Falls at UMBC in Closing Seconds

The Central Connecticut men's basketball lost in the closing seconds at UMBC on Sunday, falling 78-76 in Baltimore, MD at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. The Retrievers scored five points in the final 48 seconds, including Craig Beaudion's runner in the lane, to erase a three-point Blue Devils lead.

Davonte Sweatman had a career-high 17 points to lead four Blue Devils in double-figures. Nigel Scantlebury added 16 points, while Kellen Amos and Andre Snoddy each had 13 points. Snoddy added a game-high 12 rebounds for the double-double. CCSU shot 29-of-55 (..527) from the field and 12-of-24 (.500) from three-point range. CCSU went 6-of-10 (.600) at the foul line.

UMBC was led by Matteo Picarelli who had a game-high 21 points. The Retrievers shot 26-of-53 (.491) overall and 11-of-23 (.478) from three-point range. UMBC was 15-of-18 (.833) at the foul line.

The Blue Devils is back in action with a home game against Maine on Wednesday afternoon.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: CCSU 76, UMBC 78
Records: CCSU (0-5), UMBC (3-2)
Location: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena | Baltimore, MD

KEY MOMENTS

• Kellen Amos opened the game scoring CCSU's first nine points. The Blue Devils would outscore UMBC 15-2 run over a six-minute span to take a lead midway through the half. CCSU held the Retrievers scoreless for 4:30 and scored nine unanswered points to go ahead 20-12 following a foul shot by Brody Limric.
• UMBC bounced back with a 17-3 run, holding Central scoreless for over four minutes. The Retrievers would score 14 straight to retake a 29-22 lead. The Blue Devils shot just 1-of-11 during a four-minute stretch.
• Central would climb back after consecutive three-pointers by Davonte Sweatman tie the game at 31-31. Andre Snoddy would score the final four points of the half for CCSU as the Blue Devils took a 35-34 lead at halftime. 
• CCSU would score five straight as part of a 10-2 spurt that put it ahead, 46-41, following a three-pointer by Joe Ostrowsky. The Blue Devils would extend its lead with a 9-2 spurt in a 2:02 span to go ahead 55-47 and match its largest lead of the game following a three-pointer by Snoddy.
• The Retrievers would chip away at the CCSU lead and got within 62-61 following a 7-2 spurt with 7:35 to play. The Blue Devils would maintain the lead until Picarellie tied the game at 71-71 following three foul shots.
• Nigel Scantlebury, who scored five straight for CCSU, hit a three-pointer on the next possession to give the Blue Devils a 74-71 lead. He would make a pair of foul shots make it 76-73 with 48 seconds remaining.
• Picarelli tied the game with a three-pointer on the next possession. The Blue Devils missed a shot with 20 seconds to play that set up the Retrievers' final shot. Beaudion got into the paint and hit the winner just before the horn.

QUOTABLE

"We've been working on playing a full 40-minute game" said head coach Patrick Sellers. "Today was a little closer and our guys are continuing to work on getting better every day. We showed some toughness and grit and these games will help us as we go throughout the season. UMBC is an excellent, well-coached team and give those guys a lot of credit."

NUMBER TO KNOW

28 – Central had a 28-22 advantage in points in the paint.

NOTES

• The former NEC rivals were meeting for the first time since 2014. The loss snapped a five-game win streak for CCSU in the series, which it leads 20-16.
• Sweatman scored in double-figures for the third time this season. He finished the game 7-of-7 from the field and 3-of-3 from three-point range. He added six rebounds and four assists in 26 minutes.
• Joe Ostrowsky earned his first start of the season and finished with five points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals.
• Snoddy posted his second double-double of the season and added two assists.
• Central had a season-high 12 three-pointers, with seven different players hitting a trey. TJ Holloway and Brody Limric both hit their first three-pointers of the season.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils is back in action with a home game against Maine on Wednesday afternoon.