Men's Basketball Drops Stonehill, Earns Top Seed for Postseason Tournament
The Central Connecticut men's basketball team won 79-67 on Senior Day against Stonehill to close out the Northeast Conference regular season on Saturday in New Britain, CT. The win, along with a Merrimack loss, earned CCSU a share of the NEC regular-season title. The Blue Devils earned the league tournament top seed on tie-breakers.
The Blue Devils will host throughout the postseason, beginning with an NEC Tournament Quarterfinal home game against Saint Francis U on Wednesday, March 6, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at CCSUBlueDevils.com/Tickets2023.
Jayden Brown scored a career-high 19 points,and was joined in double-figures by Allan Jeanne-Rose, Jordan Jones and Kellen Amos. CCSU shot 29-of-57 (.509) overall and 10-of-22 (.455) from three-point range. The Blue Devils were 11-of-13 (.846) at the foul line.
Max Zegarowski scored 19 points to lead Stonehill. The Skyhawks shot 28-of-56 (.500) overall and 6-of-19 (.316) on three-pointers. Stonehill was 5-of-9 (.556) at the foul line.
The Blue Devils host an NEC Tournament Quarterfinal game on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 79, Stonehill 67
Records: CCSU (19-10, 13-3 NEC), STO (4-27, 2-14 NEC)
Location: Detrick Gymnasium | New Britain, CT
KEY MOMENTS
- CCSU would build a 20-point lead and take control of the game in the closing minutes of the first half with a 19-0 run. The Skyhawks would get within 23-22 before CCSU scored four quick points. Stonehill took a timeout after a dunk by Tre Breland in an effort to stem the run, but Central would score 15 straight points and go ahead 42-22 after a Kellen Amos three-pointer with 50 second left in the half.
- Stonehill would attempt to claw back into the game outscoring CCSU 15-0 midway through the half. A driving layup by Benigni would spark the run over a four-minute span that was capped by a Max Zegarowski trey to make it 60-51 with 7:58 remaining.
- Central would quickly outscore the Skyhawks, 10-2 and pushed the lead back to 72-55. The Skyhawks would not get closer than the final margin.
NUMBER TO KNOW
4 – The Blue Devils won their fourth Northeast Conference regular-season title (2006-07, 2001-02, 1999-00)
NOTES
- CCSU is 29-7 all-time against Stonehill and has won the past three meetings.
- Brown finished 7-of-13 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds with three assists.
- Jeanne-Rose posted 19 points and seven rebounds.
- Jones finished with 12 points, seven assists and two steals.
- Amos was 3-of-5 on three pointers with 11 points.
- The Blue Devils recognized seniors Allan Jeanne-Rose, Kellen Amos and Tre Breland, as well as, senior manager Zain Huseini before the game.
UP NEXT
The Blue Devils host an NEC Tournament Quarterfinal game on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.
Follow @CCSUBlueDevils on Twitter and CCSUBlueDevils.com for updates.
