A Team Effort Pushes Central Past Merrimack

Central Connecticut women's basketball bounced back in a big win over Merrimack on Sunday night. The Blue Devils went 20-23 (87.0%) from the free throw line to earn the six point win. Central moves to 4-8 overall and 4-8 in the NEC. The Warriors end its three game winning streak and drop to 3-7 in the conference.

Dejah Jenkins scored a career high 16 points, going 4-7 from the floor and 6-8 from the charity stripe. Forever Toppin scored in double figures for the second game in a row, adding 15 points. Belle Lanpher added 10 points off the bench.

The Blue Devils forced 17 turnovers and scored 16 points off them. The bench also contributed 22 points compared to just 8 for Merrimack. Central lead for over 38 minutes of the game.

Jayme DeCesare scored a game high 20 points on 50.0% shooting for Merrimack. Mayson Kimball added 16 points in 33 minutes of play. The Warriors shot 13-26 as a team from three point land.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: CCSU 73, Merrimack 67

Records: CCSU (4-8, 4-8 NEC), Merrimack (3-7, 3-7 NEC)

Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, MA

KEY MOMENTS 

• Forever Toppin started the game scorching hot, scoring the team's first 10 points giving Central a 10-4 lead at the 5:57 mark.

• The Blue Devils caught fire from beyond the arc, shooting 4-7 in the first quarter. Freshman Alli Napoli hit her first career three pointer from the left wing. Central took a 18-8 lead after one.

• Jamey Napoleon hit a jump shot from the top of the key with 5:32 remaining in the first half to give Central a 13 point lead, its largest of the game.

• Central outscored Merrimack 9-5 in the final 4:25, giving the team a 33-16 lead into the half.

• Sophomore Dejah Jenkins hit two three pointers early in the third quarter to extend Central's lead to 18. She scored 8 points in the quarter.

• Merrimack cut the lead to 10 with a layup from Alyssa Casey with 7:37 remaining in the game. The Blue Devils responded quickly with a bucket from Jenkins off a nice dish from Danielle Delano.

• The Warriors went on a 6-0 run in a four minute span to bring the game within 7. After Merrimack received two technical fouls from the sideline, Ashley Forker made all four free throws to give Central a double digit lead.

• The Blue Devils went a perfect 10-10 from the foul line in the final minute of the game to secure the victory.

NUMBER TO KNOW

4 – The Blue Devils had four players score in double figures for just the second time this season. 

NOTES 

• Senior Ashley Forker scored 10 points and added 2 rebounds. She went 4-4 from the free throw line down the stretch.

• Claire Sutherland-Case made her second start in a row, adding 4 points and bringing down 4 rebounds.

• Jamey Napoleon recorded 5 blocks for the second time this season.

• Alli Napoli hit her first career three pointer in the first quarter. She finished with 3 points and 2 rebounds.

• The Blue Devils outrebounded Merrimack 41-36. Central is now 2-0 on the season when outrebounding its opponent.

• Central scored 10 fast break points tonight, compared to just 2 for Merrimack.

Up Next:

Central will host LIU for a pair of games on Thursday Feb. 18 and Friday Feb. 19. Both games will tip at 7:00 pm inside the Detrick Gym.

No fans will be in attendance, but the game will stream for free on Necfrontrow.com.