Late Run Pushes Women's Basketball Past Wagner Saturday, 62-52.

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team trailed Wagner, 37-34, heading into the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon in Staten Island, but used a 20-7 run to close out the final five minutes of the game and outscore the Seahawks 28-15 in the final period to pick up its second straight NEC road win. The victory improves the Blue Devils record to 5-11 overall and 2-3 in Northeast Conference action.

Freshman Kiana Patterson led the Blue Devils in the game with a career-high 15 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Senior TeJahne Malone logged her second straight double-double finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Blue Devils trailed the Seahawks at halftime, 23-21, as neither team shot the ball very well in the first half. The Blue Devils finished the first half 9-of-29 (31.0%) from the floor, including just 1-of-12 (8.3%) from three. Wagner was 8-of-28 (28.6%) from the field and 2-of-6 (33.3%) from three over the first two periods.

The Seahawks would take their two point halftime lead and preserve it for the entire third quarter, building it to as big as seven, 37-30, with 1:45 left to play in the third. That lead would be the largest of the game for the Seahawks as the Blue Devils responded and closed out the third period on a 4-0 run to cut the Wagner advantage to 37-34. Sophomore Camden Musgrave ended the quarter with a steal and fast break layup to pull CCSU within three.

Central kept up the momentum and pressure to start the fourth quarter forcing one of Wagner's 21 turnovers in the game on the opening inbounds play. Patterson corralled a steal and hit a jumper plus a foul just seconds into the period. She converted the free throw to tie the game, 37-37, completing a seven point run for CCSU.

Both teams would trade points and the lead over the ensuing five minutes of the game, but then at the 4:49 mark the Blue Devils would explode for a 20-7 run to close out the game for the 62-52 victory. Once again Patterson sparked the Blue Devils knocking down a clutch three to tie the game, 45-45, and start the run and they would go on to build their lead to as big as 13, 59-46, after a pair of free throws by junior Aleah Epps with 1:01 left to play.

Central would hit 9-of-14 free throw attempts over the final two minutes of the game, including 4-of-4 from senior Kayla Miller to secure the 62-52 victory for the Blue Devils.

The Blue Devils shot much better in the second half connecting on 48.0% (12-25) from the field to shoot 38.9% (21-54) in the game. They also shot 37.5% (3-8) from distance in the second half to finish 20.0% (4-20) for the game. CCSU also hit for a 55.2% (16-29) clip from the foul line.

Patterson paced Central with a career-high 15 points shooting 50.0% (5-10) from the floor. She hit 3-of-7 attempts from long range and was 2-of-3 from the charity stripe. Malone and sophomore Emma Stroyan joined Patterson in double-figures with 10 points each. Malone logged her second straight and third double-double of the season grabbing 12 boards to go with her 10 points.

The Seahawks were led by the NEC's leading scorer, Jasmine Nwajei, who finished with a game-high 24 points. She was 9-of-21 from the field, 1-of-5 from three and 5-of-8 from the free throw line.

Central forced 21 Seahawk turnovers in the game and turned those 21 turnovers into 21 points for the Blue Devils.

The CCSU women's basketball team will return to action next as they host instate and NEC foe Sacred Heart on Monday night inside Detrick Gymnasium. Tip-off between the Blue Devils and Pioneers is scheduled for 7 p.m. and all of the action can be seen live, for free, on NECFrontRow.com.