Dugan, Crockett Lead Central Past Wagner 60-45

Juniors Kerrianne Dugan and Leanne Crockett both recorded double-doubles as Central Connecticut State University (10-16, 7-9 NEC) defeated Wagner (9-18, 6-10 NEC) by a score of 60-45 on the road Saturday. Dugan led the Blue Devils with 16 points and added 10 rebounds, while Crockett scored 15 points on four three-pointers, grabbed 10 boards and picked up five steals.

The Blue Devils started the game with a 13-4 lead. Sophomore Alexzandria Dowdy opened the scoring with a three-pointer and connected on another triple later in the run. Both shots from beyond the arc were assisted by Dugan. Immediately following Dowdy's long distance jumper, it was junior Justina Udenze that took control. The forward scored on two consecutive post moves from the right block.

CCSU extended its lead to as many as 12 at 23-11 when Dugan connected on two free throws. The Blue Devils were held to four points during the final eight minutes of the opening period and Wagner made its way back into the game. The Seahawks finished the last eight minutes of the first frame with 14 points, including six from junior Megan Mahoney.

The Blue Devils held on to a slight 27-25 lead at the break, as Wagner took advantage in the paint during the second part of the first half. The Seahawks outscored Central 20-8 in paint points and totaled eight fast break points to CCSU's zero. Crockett led the way for the Blue Devils, scoring nine points and picking up five steals.

CCSU used a 10-0 run from 14:35 to 11:21 in the second half to take a commanding 43-30 lead. Dugan started the run by connecting on a long two point jumper off of a kick out by freshman Kirsten Daamen. Half of a minute later Dugan found senior Emily Rose in the right corner for her first of two triples in the game to put Central up 38-30.

Daamen and fellow freshman Brooke Bailey then finished out the scoring stretch for the Blue Devils. Daamen got open and a double-teamed Crockett found her for the layup to extend the lead to double digits. On the ensuing possession Bailey curled off of a screen and got fouled. She connected on one of two from the line. The run ended when Daamen found Bailey in the left corner for a two point jumper to make it 43-30 with 11:21 to play in the game.

The Blue Devils extended their lead to as many as 17 and finished with the 60-45 victory. CCSU held even with Wagner in paint points during second half action with both squads scoring eight. Central also stopped the Seahawks from converting fast break points, holding them to zero in the final frame of play. The Blue Devils shot 52.2 percent from the floor in the second half and held Wagner to 26.1 percent shooting.

Mahoney finished with a team high 12 points, while freshman Marie-Laurence Archambault recorded nine in the defeat. Junior Ashley Olsen led the Seahawks in rebounds with eight.

Dugan's 16 points and 10 rebounds marked her fifth double-double of the season, while Crockett tallied her seventh of 2009-10 as she finished with 15 points and 10 boards. Crockett tied her season-best with five steals and connected on four of nine from three-point range. She moved into fourth place in CCSU history for career three-pointers made with her first triple of the game. She now has 97 and is five away from taking over third place in Central annals.

Crockett added three blocks, while Udenze and Daamen led the Blue Devils with four a piece. The latter added four steals in the CCSU victory. Central Connecticut will next host Long Island on Thursday February 25 before finishing the regular season at St. Francis (NY) on Saturday February 27.