Men's Basketball Falls to Sacred Heart on Senior Day

Central Connecticut dropped its regular season finale to Sacred Heart, 69-67, on Saturday in Northeast Conference men's basketball action in New Britain, CT. The contest featured 19 lead changes, but the Pioneers erased a one-point deficit with a 9-2 run to go ahead for good with 4:36 to play.

Nigel Scantlebury scored a team-high 20 points to lead three Blue Devils in double-figures. CCSU shot 21-of-56 (.375) from the field overall and 10-of-25 (.400) from three-point range. Central was 15-of-22 (.682) from the foul line.

Jordan Minor had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Warriors. Merrimack shot 26-of-55 (.473) overall and 11-of-25 (.440) from the arc. Merrimack was 7-of-12 (.583) from the foul line.

The Blue Devils will travel to Saint Francis U in the NEC Tournament Quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 1.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: CCSU 67, Sacred Heart 69
Records: CCSU (10-21, 7-9 NEC), SHU (15-16, 8-8 NEC)
Location: Detrick Gymnasium | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Devils scored the first four points of the game, but that was the largest lead either team would hold throughout the opening 17 minutes. Trailing, 24-22 with 4:34 to go in the half CCSU would build a seven-point lead with nine unanswered points. Andre Snoddy scored the first four points, followed by a Scantlebury three-pointer and two foul shots by Abdul Momoh to make it 31-24.
• Bryce Johnson would score five points for SHU in the final minute, with a Scantlebury trey for the Blue Devils to make it 34-29 at the intermission.
• A layup by Snoddy to open the second half gave Central a seven-point cushion, but the Pioneers would score five straight points and set up a back-and-forth second half. SHU took its first lead of the period after Joey Reilly hit a three-pointer to make it 42-40 and the teams would trade the lead five times in the following five minutes.
• A three-pointer by Snoddy with 9:05 put CCSU ahead 52-49, but that was its largest lead the rest of the way. SHU would outscore Central, 13-4, over a span of 3:25 to build a six-point lead. A three-pointer by Reilly made it 62-56 with 4:35 remaining.
• The Blue Devils managed to make it a one-possession game with 0:06 to play following a trey by Scantlebury to make it 68-66. The Pioneers would hit 1-of-2 foul shots setting up a final possession for Central. SHU would foul on the inbounds and Davonte Sweatman made the first foul shot. After intentionally missing the second, the Pioneers were able to prevent a putback attempt for the Blue Devils and held on for the 69-67 win.

NUMBER TO KNOW

7 – The Blue Devils were outscored by Sacred Heart, 40-33, in the second half. At the foul line after halftime, SHU was 13-of-18 and CCSU was just 6-of-12.

NOTES

• CCSU leads the all-time series, 37-36, but SHU has won 15 straight meetings.
• Nigel Scantlebury and Arian Dehnavi were honored prior to the game for Senior Day. Dehnavi would make his first start of the year and had a rebound and a block.
• Scantlebury posted his sixth career 20-point game. He finished the day with a career-high five three-pointers. He added three assists.
• Snoddy had his eighth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
• Kellen Amos chipped in with 10 points, his 22^nd game in double-figures.
• Jayden Brown matched a career-high with four blocked shots.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils earned the #6 seed and will travel to Saint Francis U in the NEC Tournament Quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 1.