Men's Basketball Rallies at Chicago State for 20th Win
The Central Connecticut men's basketball team stormed back in the second half and won, 81-75, in Northeast Conference action at Chicago State on Thursday in Chicago, IL. The Blue Devils dug itself out of a 10-point halftime deficit by shooting 70 percent from the field in the second period to win its 20th game of the season.
Abdul Momoh paced CCSU with 19 points, while Jordan Jones scored all 18 of his points after halftime. Devin Haid added 16 points and Jayden Brown added 14 points. Central shot 27-of-49 (.551) overall and was 6-of-17 (.353) from three-point range. The Blue Devils were 21-of-24 (.875) at the foul line.
Dailliss Cox led Chicago St. with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. CSU shot 26-of-67 (.388) overall and 10-of-27 (.370) on three-pointers. The Cougars were 13-of-14 (.929) at the foul line.
GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 81, CHICAGO STATE 75
Records: CCSU (20-6, 11-2 NEC), CSU (4-24, 4-9 NEC)
Location: Jones Convocation Center | Chicago, IL
KEY MOMENTS
- Central would take its largest lead of the opening period just 2:10 into the contest after a layup by Haid made it 6-2. Back-to-back CSU three-pointers would restore the Cougars' lead. The Blue Devils scored just one field goal over a five-minute span and they fell behind 14-8.
- A pair of foul shots by Momoh would trim the deficit to 18-16 with 9:06 to go in the period. The Cougars would respond with five unanswered points to kick off an 13-4 spurt that saw the hosts take their largest lead of the period at 31-20 after a three-pointer by Cox. CSU would go into halftime with a 36-26 edge.
- Cox opened the second half with a jumper to give CSU a 12-point lead, its largest of the night, before the Blue Devils responded with 13 straight points. Jones opened the spurt with a three-pointer, while Momoh and Haid each had four points in the run. The three-minute spurt was capped by a pair of Haid foul shots to make it 39-38 with 16:27 to play.
- Chicago St. took a 49-48 lead with 13:35 to play, but the Blue Devils would hold them scoreless for over three minutes to regain the lead it would not relinquish. Brown hit a layup with 2:41 to play that gave CCSU a 76-66 lead. CSU would get within four with 21 seconds left, but Jones and Davonte Sweatman combined to go 4-for-4 from the foul line to ice the game.
NUMBER TO KNOW
20 – The Blue Devils have posted back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time as a Division I program and for the first time since 1982-83 and 1983-84.
NOTES
- CCSU won its ninth straight game, its longest win streak since Jan. 13-Feb. 15, 2007, when it won 12 in a row.
- The Blue Devils have trailed at halftime in its past three wins, while the 10-point deficit is its largest deficit overcome this season.
- Central posted season-best marks of 55 points and .708 (17-of-24) shooting in the second half.
- Jones shot 6-of-6 from the field (2-of-2 from the arc) and 4-of-4 at the foul line in the second half.
- Momoh was 8-of-12 from the field in the game and had four rebounds.
- Brown, Haid and Joe Ostrowsky each grabbed five rebounds. Ostrowsky added five assists.
- The Blue Devils won their 11th road game of the season and clinched home court advantage through the semifinals of the NEC Tournament.
- CCSU swept the season series and leads the all-time series, 5-4.
UP NEXT
- Central returns home to host Stonehill on Saturday for Senior Day.
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