Five Central Connecticut men's basketball players scored in double-figures for the fifth time this season as the Blue Devils held on for a 72-70 home victory over St. Francis Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon. With the win the Blue Devils move to 8-11 overall and 4-4 in Northeast Conference play.
St. Francis is also 8-11 and 4-4 in the league. The teams play only one time this season so the Blue Devils will hold the tie-breaker if it comes down to that at the end of the season.
The Blue Devils led by three at halftime, but the Terriers came out in the second half and took a six point lead with 13:46 to play. The Blue Devils responded, and then led by as many as seven, before St. Francis had a chance to tie or win the game in the final possession.
On the last possession the Terriers had the ball, down two, with a chance to win or tie. A three-point jumper from Brent Jones went in and out as the Blue Devils held on for the victory and snapped a two-game losing streak.
Sophomore Kyle Vinales led the Blue Devils with 19 points and six assists. He hit a pair of threes and three key free-throws down the stretch. Junior Terrell Allen had a career-high 15 points and five rebounds to go along with a block in the victory. He had two straight jumpers in the second half that helped Central seal the win.
It was the fifth time this season that five players scored in double-figures for the Blue Devils. They are 5-0 in those games.
Junior Malcolm McMillan had 14 points including a pair of threes in his first two attempts. In his last three games McMillan is 10-of-12 from three and is averaging 16.7 points.
Sophomore Adonis Burbage posted his first career double-double in the game, scoring 11 points and grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds. He was 3-of-5 from three and added two assists and a block. Seven of his rebounds came in the first half.
Junior Matt Hunter was the fifth Blue Devil in double-figures, scoring 13 points, grabbing four rebounds and posting five steals.
Vinales now has 943 career points in 48 career games. He is on pace to reach 1,000 career points faster than any player in CCSU history. He also leads Central is assists this season.
The Blue Devils return to action on Thursday night on the road at Monmouth beginning at 7 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports Radio 1410 or ESPN Radio 1300 and online at iHeartRadio.com. The game will not be available on NECFrontRow.com.
