Men's Basketball Trio Recognized by Northeast Conference
Jordan Jones and Darin Smith, Jr. of the Central Connecticut men's basketball team were named Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week by the Northeast Conference it was announced by the league on Monday. Abdul Momoh was also named to the league's list of Prime Performers after the trio helped the Blue Devils to a win at Saint Joseph's last week and a narrow loss at Providence to open the season.
Jones, a second team All-NEC pick a year ago and 2024-25 Preseason All-NEC honoree, opened his senior year in peak form for the NEC co-favorites. The Florence, SC, native averaged 17.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 spg and shot 84.6 percent from the line in a 1-1 week, highlighted by an eye-opening 73-67 win at Saint Joseph's last Friday. Jones tallied 13 points, a game-high six assists and five rebounds in the road victory. He converted a traditional three-point play with 3:24 to play, then assisted on Davonte Sweatman's triple that extended CCSU's lead to seven with 1:42 remaining. On opening night last Monday, he sparked the Blue Devils to a near upset of Providence, tying for game scoring honors with 21 points on 8-18 shooting in a 59-55 setback. Jones added three steals and was 5-6 from the stripe.
Amidst a lineup of senior standouts, Smith Jr. brought a veteran's poise to CCSU's 73-67 victory over Saint Joseph's last Friday. The redshirt freshman came off the bench to score 13 points on 6-8 shooting, and added a pair of steals. Smith served in the catalyst in a game-changing 9-0 run that gave the Blue Devils the lead midway through the second half, converting a pair of layups in the spurt. With CCSU nursing a three-point lead late in the contest, Smith knocked down a clutch three-pointer from the wing with 2:27 on the clock to give the Blue Devils a 68-62 lead. For the week, the Springfield, MA native averaged 6.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg and shot 54.5 percent from the field. He added a pair of steals and a block.
Momoh narrowly missed a double-double in CCSU's victory at Saint Joseph's, compiling nine points on 4-5 shooting, along with 11 boards. In the opener he scored 11 points and went 5-of-6 at the foul line. He also grabbed five rebounds with two steals. Momoh has started the season shooting 7-of-10 (.700) from the field.
The Blue Devils host Vermont State Johnson for their home-opener on Monday night at 7:00 p.m.
