Men's Hoops Drops Third Straight

The Central Connecticut men's basketball team dropped its third straight game, and fifth in its last six, falling 72-44 on the road at Quinnipiac on Wednesday.  With the loss the Blue Devils are now 10-13 overall, and 7-6 in Northeast Conference action.

Quinnipiac improves to 14-10 overall and 7-6 in the NEC.  The two teams will play again in just four days, this time in New Britain, on Sunday at 12 noon.  The game will be televised on MSG and Fox College Sports Atlantic.

The 44 points were a season-low for the Blue Devils.  They shot just 26.8 percent from the field (15-of-56) and were outrebounded 49-30.  Senior Robby Ptacek had 10 points and nine rebounds, just one rebound shy of his career-high. 

Senior Ken Horton had 11 points and seven rebounds in the loss.  Freshman Kyle Vinales added eight points, all in the first half, and had three assists.

Central trailed 19-5 after the first 11 minutes, and made just two of their first 15 shots from the field to begin the game.  They were down 24-7 and 3-of-18 from the field with 7:34 to play before the half.

The Blue Devils ended the half with a 15-7 run over the final seven minutes, and made four of their last eight before halftime.  They made all seven free-throws.

The Blue Devils trailed 34-22 at the half, and had trailed by as many as 17 in the first half.  They struggled from the field, and the 22 points were the second-lowest output in any half this season.

They hit 7-of-26 from the field, good for 26.9 percent, their worst shooting half of the season.  The Bobcats were 14-of-35 and outrebounded the Blue Devils 25-16, including 10 offensive boards.

Central showed a spark to begin the second half. 

After a three from Ptacek and a bucket by Horton the QU lead was down to 38-31.  The Blue Devils went on a 9-2 to run to open the period and cut the lead to seven.

The Blue Devils would get no closer, as the Bobcats answered with a huge run, and Central again went cold from the field. 

A 19-2 run by the Bobcats pushed the lead to 57-33, the largest of the game to that point, with about 10 minutes to play.

Ptacek ended the game with 10 points and nine rebounds.  Horton had 11 and seven.  As a team Central dished out a season-low seven assists, and turned the ball over 13 times.

The Bobcats had a 49-30 edge on the boards, including 16 on the offensive end. 

Central and Quinnipiac will play again in just four days, this Sunday at 12 p.m. in Detrick Gym.  The game will be televised on MSG and Fox College Sports Atlantic.