Women's Basketball Defeats Mount 57-49

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team defeated Mount St. Mary's 57-49 on Monday night. The win runs the Blue Devils winning streak to five games, matching the streak they had to open the season. The Blue Devils are now 6-4 in Northeast Conference play this season and 13-7 overall. Junior Alexzandria Dowdy did it all for the Blue Devils scoring 18 points in a season high 38 minutes of action.

The Mountaineers took the lead early in the first half as both teams struggled shooting. The Mount built a 12-4 lead nine minutes into the first period. Senior Leanne Crockett drove into the paint and hit a layup to cut the Mount lead to 12-6 with 9:30 left in the first. On the Blue Devils cut the lead to 14-10 with a three from junior Alexzandria Dowdy.

Central came out of the third media timeout shooting, baskets from Dowdy and senior Justina Udenze cut the Mount's lead to 21-16, with 5:00 minutes left in the half. The Mountaineers continued to match the Blue Devils scoring each time down the court.

A three from freshman Jaleen Thomas capped a 16-3 run by the Blue Devils which tied the game at 24-24 heading into the break. Udenze scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Blue Devils in the first half.

After the break the Blue Devils and Mountaineers came out trading baskets, as the Mount took a 36-32 lead with 12:30 left in the game.

The Blue Devils took the lead with 10:00 minutes left in the game when Crockett hit a three pointer from the corner to give Central a 39-38 lead. A block by Thomas stopped the Mount's next possession and a fast break layup by Dowdy put the Blue Devils ahead by three.

After surrendering the lead Central went ahead thanks to five points from freshman Jessica Babe. Babe hit a three from the wing to put her team ahead, 46-45. On the Blue Devils next possession she stripped a Mount St. Mary's rebounder and put the ball back up for an easy two, pushing the lead to three.

The Blue Devils pulled away for the 57-49 victory, with free throw shooting from Babe and Dowdy.

Dowdy finished with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal. Babe and Udenze each dropped in nine points. Udenze had a game-high eight rebounds and Crockett and sophomore Kirsten Daamen each had seven.

The Blue Devils return to action Saturday afternoon at Robert Morris University. It is the only game this season between the Colonials and Blue Devils, tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.