January 27, 2011

Junior Ken Horton posted his third straight double-double as the Central Connecticut men's basketball team won for the third straight game and the ninth time in the last 11 on Thursday night, topping Mount St. Mary's 71-52. Horton had game-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Blue Devils improved to 8-1 at home this season.

Central improves to 13-7 and 6-3 in the Northeast Conference with the victory. The Mount falls to 7-15 and 5-4.

The win is the 150th career regular season NEC victory for head coach Howie Dickenman. Only one coach in league history has more regular season wins (Tom Green, FDU, 263).

Central led by as many as 25 in the second half on their way to their eighth home victory of the season. It matches the home win total of each of the last three seasons. Central has at least four home games remaining this year.

Every player on the Central roster who played scored in the victory. The Blue Devils had 16 assists and only 13 turnovers and outrebounded the Mount 33-26, led by the 11 from Horton.

Horton's double-double was his sixth of the season and his third straight. He was 7-of-12 from the field and hit a pair of threes. Senior Shemik Thompson shot an identical 7-of-12 from the field and had 16 points to go along with seven assists. Both players added three steals as Central tallied 10 steals in the victory.

Central shot 7-of-12 from three and 10-of-13 from the line.

The Blue Devils held the Mount to 38.3 percent shooting, 18-of-47, and they hit on 6-of-16 from three. They had 17 turnovers that led to 15 Blue Devil points.

Central also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Mount 34-14, including 14 fast break points to just four for the Mount.

Junior Robby Ptacek added 13 points and seven rebounds in the victory.

Central returns to action on Saturday hosting Wagner beginning at 3:30 p.m.