A Rough Second Half Leads to a Blue Devil Loss

Central Connecticut women's basketball lost its second game in a row to Wagner and fourth consecutive overall on Monday night. The Blue Devils went just 1-7 from three in the second half, just 14.3%. Central now stands at 4-12 overall and in NEC play. The Seahawks earn its 10th win of the season, jumping to 10-5 overall and 10-4 in Northeast Conference play.

Forever Toppin scored a career high 26 points on 9-20 shooting. She was the only Blue Devil to score in double figures. Sophomore Dejah Jenkins added 9 points, with all of her scoring coming from three-point shots.

The Blue Devils shot under 40% from the floor for the 12th time in a row and 13th time in the 2020-21 season. 

Wagner had four different players score in double figures. Emilia Krista Grava led them all with a double-double (13 points and 11 rebounds). Kem Nwabudu and Kate Tokuhara each added 12 points. Finally, Marissa Sanchez-Henry scored 11 points on 5-10 shooting.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: CCSU 57, LIU 65

Records: CCSU (4-12, 4-12 NEC), Wagner (10-5, 10-4 NEC)

Location: Spiro Sports Center | Staten Island, NY

KEY MOMENTS 

• The first quarter belonged to Forever Toppin, as she scored 11 of the team's 16 points. Toppin went 4-8 from the floor and 2-2 from three-point land.

• Central led by 18-16 until Marissa Sanchez-Henry scored with 27 seconds remaining in the quarter to tie the ball game.

• Wagner jumped out to a six point lead until sophomore Claire Sutherland-Case knocked down a much needed three-pointer at the 5:20 mark on a dish from Carly Reynolds.

• A three from Dejah Jenkins with 1:36 remaining gave Central its first lead since the first quarter. 

• The game was tied with a minute to go until Forever Toppin scored four straight points, giving CCSU a 34-32 lead at the half. In just 16 minutes, Toppin tied a career high 18 points.

• The Blue Devils did not make a field goal in the first five minutes of the second half. Carly Reynolds scored the first 3 points, going 3-4 from the free throw line.

• Central held a four point lead until Wagner ended the third on a 7-1 run and took a 47-45 lead into the final quarter.

• The Seahawks continued its offensive dominance, going on a 12-0 run over a three and a half minute span. The run gave Wagner a 61-47 lead with 5:31 to play.

• Central outscored Wagner 8-4 down the stretch, but the push was not enough.

NUMBER TO KNOW

50 - The Blue Devils shot just 50.0% (11-22) from the free throw line, the team's second lowest percentage this year.

NOTES 

• Junior Danielle Delano scored 6 points off the bench in 20 minutes of play.

• Ashley Forker filled up the stat sheet, scoring 6 points while adding 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.

• Center Carly Reynolds went 3-4 from the foul line and posted a career high 5 blocks.

• The game saw 10 lead changes and was tied 7 different times.

• Wagner once again dominated the paint, scoring 38 points compared to 22 for CCSU.

• Central gave up 21 offensive rebounds which led to 15 second chance points. The Blue Devils scored only 4 second chance points.

• Freshman Belle Lanpher was held scoreless for just the second time this season.

Up Next:

Central will head back home to take on the second place Saint Francis PA. The games will take place on Thursday, Mar. 4 and Friday, Mar. 5 with both tipping off at 4:00 pm. Friday's game will be senior night for CCSU.

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