January 24, 2010

Juniors Shemik Thompson and Markeys Deans each scored 12 points, but the Central Connecticut State University men's basketball team dropped its second straight game, 75-62, at Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon. Central returns to action at home on Thursday night hosting Monmouth beginning at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised live on Cox Sports Television.

The Bobcats climbed out to a 9-2 lead before the Blue Devils responded to tie the game at 11 with under 12 to play in the half. Thompson and freshman Devan Bailey each hit a three for the Blue Devils over the four minute span. Central missed their first five shots from the field but made 3-of-5 during quick run.

A three from senior Joe Seymore gave the Blue Devils their first lead of the game at 14-12. The Central run reached 15-1 on a pair of free-throws by freshman Joe Efese, and Central led 20-12 with under eight to play. Seymore had five points during the run.

Quinnipiac answered with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 20 with under four to play before halftime. A Thompson jumper stopped the run and made it 22-20. A three-point play gave the Bobcats back the lead at 23-22 but sophomore Robby Ptacek hit a jumper to put the Blue Devils back up one.

Central scored six straight to go up five, but the Bobcats hit a shot right before the buzzer to make it 28-25 in favor of the Blue Devils at the half. Central hit 10-of-31 shots before the break but only 3-of-10 from three. They held the Bobcats to 9-of-31 shooting from the floor and without a three.

The Bobcats put together a 13-2 run to open the second half and take a 38-30 lead. Central went just 1-of-5 to start the half and the Bobcats hit 5-of-8 during the run, including their first three of the game. Quinnipiac's run reached 17-3 and the lead was 42-31 with just over 15 miunutes to play.

A three by Deontay Twyman made it 51-37 in favor of the Bobcats, as they increased their scoring advantage in the second half to 26-9 in the first seven minutes.

Central would get no closer than 12 the rest of the way, as the Bobcats improved their record to 13-6 overall and 7-1 in the Northeast Conference. The Blue Devils fall to 5-14 overall and 2-6 in the league with the loss.

Thompson and Deans each led Central with 12 points in the loss. He added four rebounds and a pair of assists.

The Blue Devils return home on Thursday night to facde Monmouth beginning at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised live on Cox Sports Television.