Women's Hoops Season Stopped at Sacred Heart

Central Connecticut women's basketball was defeated in the opening round of the Northeast Conference Tournament by Sacred Heart on Saturday, falling 62-58 to the Pioneers.

GAME INFORMATION
FINAL SCORE CCSU 58 SHU 62
RECORDS CCSU (6-20, 5-13 NEC) SHU (8-16, 6-12 NEC)
LOCATION William H. Pitt Center | Fairfield, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• Sacred Heart got off to a quick 4-0 lead but Dejah Jenkins and Eden Nibbelink swung the momentum back in CCSU's favor with two money three pointers. Nibbelink was not done there, though. The graduate forward drilled two more three pointers and landed another smooth jumper before the first quarter was finished.
• The Pioneers were able to get a one point lead back over the Blue Devils halfway through the second quarter of action. It did not last long, but the two teams went back and forth with each other the rest of the half, with the score knotted up at 28 heading into the halftime break.
• Ashley Berube got the second half started with two quick buckets inside. SHU put together some quick spurts to retake the lead again, but six straight points from Claire Sutherland-Case kept the Blue Devils alive. SHU took the lead once more on a three pointer, but a free throw from Forever Toppin tied things back up at 41 as the teams headed into the fourth quarter.
• Neither team was giving any leverage to the other side in the fourth quarter. When the Blue Devils took the lead, the Pioneers went right down the floor and took it back, and vice versa. A three pointer from Sutherland-Case gave CCSU a one point lead with just over three minutes to play. The Pioneers drew a foul on the other end and took the lead back at the line. They went on to score a second chance basket that gave them a two possession lead.
• Belle Lanpher delivered in the clutch with two late three pointers that brought CCSU back to within a score, but the Pioneers cashed in on their trips to the line late and went up four.

NOTES

• Nibbelink led the way in scoring with 15 points on an efficient 6-9 shooting.

UP NEXT...

The NEC will announce its awards on Monday.