January 20, 2011

Ken Horton Leads Men's Hoop to 66-47 Victory on the Road at Monmouth on Thursday

Junior Ken Horton recorded his fourth double-double of the season as the Central Connecticut men's basketball team topped Monmouth on the road on Thursday night, 66-47. Horton finished the game with 28 points and matched his career-high with 14 rebounds. The win is the seventh in the last nine games for the Blue Devils and runs their record to 11-7 overall and 4-3 in the Northeast Conference. Monmouth falls to 5-14 overall and 1-6 in the league.

Junior Ken Horton recorded his fourth double-double of the season as the Central Connecticut men's basketball team topped Monmouth on the road on Thursday night, 66-47. Horton finished the game with 28 points and matched his career-high with 14 rebounds. The win is the seventh in the last nine games for the Blue Devils and runs their record to 11-7 overall and 4-3 in the Northeast Conference. Monmouth falls to 5-14 overall and 1-6 in the league.

Horton's 20 point outing was the 25th of his career, the most among active players in the NEC in only three seasons. It also gives him 1,154 career points, a tie for 23rd all-time in CCSU history with Dwayne Jones. Teammate Shemik Thompson now has 1,161 in his career, good for 21st all-time. Both players have passed head coach Howie Dickenman on the all-time list in the past two games.

Monmouth climbed out to an 11-2 lead hitting four of its first five shots from the field, including a pair of threes.

Central climbed out of the hole behind the play of Horton, who had eight points in a 16-8 run for the Blue Devils that cut the lead to 19-18 with 7:17 on the clock. Junior Robby Ptacek added six points in the run including the first three of the game for Central. The run reached 21-10 after a three from Horton and another jumper from Ptacek. The Blue Devils had their first lead, 23-21.

Central led 29-23 at the half, after outscoring Monmouth 27-12 to end the period after falling behind by nine early. Monmouth finished the half hitting only five of its last 24 shots, after starting 4-of-5 from the field. Horton had 13 points and eight rebounds to lead the charge.

In the second half the lead went to 42-26 after a three-point play from Horton. Central scored 13 of the first 16 points in the half to build the 16 point lead. Horton had seven in the first four minutes of the half to reach 20 for the seventh time this season.

The Blue Devils remained hot to start the second half, and following back-to-back buckets from Thompson they led 48-30.

A three from Horton made it 51-34 with 10 to play in the half. He made another bucket, off the fifth assist from Thompson, to make it 55-40 with under eight to play. After a Monmouth bucket a driving baseline dunk from junior Chris Baskerville pushed the lead back to 15.

Horton finished the game with 28 points and added 14 rebounds in the victory. It was his fourth double-double of the season. Thompson added 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Ptacek had 10 points. Nine players played at least 10 minutes in the victory.

Central held the Hawks to 33.9 percent shooting from the field in the victory. Monmouth was 3-for-20 from three, after starting the game 2-for-3 from behind the three point line. Central forced 18 turnovers from the Hawks and had 11 steals in the game. The 18 turnovers led to 18 points for the Blue Devils. They held a 16-2 advantage in fast break points.

The Blue Devils return home for three straight games beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday against Fairleigh Dickinson. Next week they host Mount St. Mary's and Wagner on Thursday and Saturday.