Dugan's 26 Leads Women's Basketball Past New Hampshire 61-48

Senior Kerrianne Dugan tied a career-high with 26 points as the Central Connecticut women's basketball team defeated New Hampshire 61-48. The Blue Devils are now 6-2 on the season and remain perfect in Detrick Gym with thier third home win of the season. The Blue Devils trailed 36-32 at the half, but allowed the Wildcats only 12 points after the break.

The Blue Devils got off to a fast start building a 13-4 lead eight minutes into the game, but the Wildcats responded going on a 15-3 run which pushed them ahead 19-16. Dugan had 14 of her 26 points in the first half, but New Hampshire's Kelsey Hogan dropped in 10 and teammate Jilliane Friel added seven to keep the Wildcats ahead at the break. Senior Leanne Crockett grabbed five boards to lead Central, as nine different Blue Devils grabbed a rebound in the period.

The Central Connecticut defense took over after the break, as the Blue Devils forced the Wildcats into bad shots. The Wildcats hit only 2-24 second half shots, and connected on only 28.8 percent for the game. As Central improved its field-goal percentage defense, a stat in which the Blue Devils rank sixth in the nation.

The Blue Devils took control of the game at the free throw line in the second half. Central hit on 12-16 free throws in the second half, while New Hampshire only connected on 8-15 attempts from the line. In the game the Blue Devils were 20-28 from the line, led by Dugan who converted on 13 of her 16 free throw chances.

Dugan's 26 points was a game-high and tied her career-high, Crockett led the Blue Devils on the boards grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds including 11 defensive. Sophomore center Kirsten Daamen contributed eight points and six rebounds while also picking up a pair of blocks and assists.

Junior Gabrielle Oglesby and Dugan both finished with seven boards as nine Blue Devils grabbed at least one rebound. On defense Central made 11 steals, including two each by junior Alexzandria Dowdy, senior Justina Udenze, Oglesby, Crockett, and Dugan, with freshman Jessica Babe making the final Blue Devil steal.

The Blue Devils return to action Wednesday night at Northeast Conference rival Fairleigh Dickinson, tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.