Women's Basketball Comes From Behind to Defeat Siena 57-48 in OT

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team defeated Siena 57-48 in overtime on Saturday afternoon. The win moves the Blue Devils to 4-0 on the season, it is the first such start for the Blue Devils since the 1985-86 season. The Blue Devils battled back into the game with a strong second half defensive performance led by junior Alexzandria Dowdy. Solid free throw shooting in overtime allowed the Blue Devils to pull out the 57-48 victory.

The Blue Devils trailed at the half by a score of 24-18, senior Kerrianne Dugan and Dowdy each had six points to lead Central on offense, while senior Justina Udenze grabbed five rebounds.

Central's defense held the Saints to only 15 points in the second half, but the Blue Devils still trailed 38-37 with under a minute to play. That is when Dugan was called for an intentional fail on Siena's Cristina Centeno, Centeno angry about the foul was whistled for a technical foul, giving Central the chance to shoot a pair of free throws. Senior Leanne Crockett connected on both shots giving the Blue Devils a 39-38 lead, those were the only points of the game for Crockett. Siena then took their turn at the line, but Centeno connected on only one of the two shots, forcing overtime.

In overtime the Blue Devils scored an early three from Dugan and then another from sophomore Brooke Bailey. Bailey added another basket giving her five points in the extra frame. With the lead and time running out the Saints began to foul sending Dowdy to the line twice and Dugan three times. Dowdy connected on three of four shots and Dugan on five of six preventing Siena from mounting a comeback.

Dugan had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Bailey finished with 10 points and including five in overtime. Dowdy made a pair of key steals in overtime, and Crockett had four blocks to help the Blue Devil Defense.

Udenze posted her second double-double of the season with 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Udenze's four blocks give her 100 for her career, she passed Keisha Carmichael for first on Centrals all-time list in that category.

The Blue Devils will go for 5-0 this Wednesday night at Holy Cross, tip-off is 7 p.m.