Men's Basketball Falls to Fairfield in Non-Conference Finale
The Central Connecticut State men's basketball team closed the non-conference portion of its schedule with an 84-70 setback to Fairfield on Thursday night in New Britain, CT. The Blue Devils led by seven early in the opening half, before the Stags went on a run to take the lead for good and put the game out of reach.
Darin Smith, Jr. had 20 points and five rebounds to lead the Blue Devils, while Melo Sanchez added 13 points and Ashton Reynolds had 10 points off the bench. CCSU shot 25-of-63 (.397) overall and 9-of-28 (.321) from three-point range. CCSU was 11-of-13 (.846) from the foul line.
Braden Sparks had a game-high 21 points to lead Fairfield, while Brandon Benjamin added 19 points and nine rebounds. The Stags shot 31-of-61 (.508) overall and 12-of-28 (.429) from three-point range.
GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 70, FAIRFIELD 84
Records: CCSU (6-5, 0-0 NEC), Fairfield (7-5, 0-2 MAAC)
Location: Detrick Gymnasium | New Britain, CT
KEY MOMENTS
- CCSU went ahead 15-8 just six minutes into the game after a Darin Smith, Jr. three-pointer, but the Stags would go on a 13-0 run and held the Blue Devils scoreless for 4:30 until a Max Frazier jumpshot. Farfield would extend the lead to 35-21 with 5:35 to go in the half.
- Frazier's tip-in at the 6:32 mark made it 30-21, but Central was limited one field goal, a three-pointer by Melo Sanchez, the remainder of the period. Fairfield would score 10 straight points to close the half and built a 47-26 lead going into the intermission.
- Smith, Jr. would hit a three-pointer with 19:20 remaining at which point the Stags would score 12 unanswered points and push its lead to 60-29. A lay in by Smith, Jr. would end the Blue Devils' 5:16 scoring drought.
- The Blue Devils would trail by as much as 28 with 9:43 to play. Central would score six straight points and get within 74-56 after an Ashton Reynolds layin with 4:49 to play before cutting the deficit to the final margin.
NUMBER TO KNOW
44 – Central outscored Fairfield, 44-37, in the second half.
NOTES
- Smith scored 20+ points for the seventh time this season and has led Central in scoring in 10 games.
- Sanchez finished in double figures for the first time since November 24 vs. Sacred Heart.
- In 14 minutes after halftime, Reynolds shot 4-of-8 and grabbed five rebounds.
- CCSU is 26-2 when scoring 70+ points dating back to Jan. 19, 2024.s
- The teams have each won on the other's home court the past two seasons. Fairfield leads the all-time series, 21-5.
UP NEXT
- The Blue Devils are back in action when they open NEC play at LIU on Jan. 2.
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