Men's Basketball Slowed By LIU in Second Half
The Central Connecticut State men's basketball team was outrun by LIU in the second half, falling 80-59 in NEC action at Detrick Gymnasium. The Blue Devils trailed by just one at halftime before LIU outscored Central, 43-23, in the second half.
Jay Rodgers and Max Frazier each scored 14 points to lead CCSU, while Darin Smith, Jr. added 10 points. Central shot 19-of-59 (.322) from the field, and just 6-of-25 (.240) on three-pointers. CCSU converted 15-of-16 foul shots.
Mason Porter-Brown scored a game-high 29 points on 10-of-11 shooting. The Sharks shot 27-of-54 (.500) overall and 7-of-15 (.467) on three-pointers. LIU was 19-of-25 (.760) at the foul line.
GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 59, LIU 80
Records: CCSU (11-10, 5-5 NEC), LIU (14-8, 8-1 NEC)
Location: Detrick Gymnasium | New Britain, CT
KEY MOMENTS
- Central would score five straight points to take its first lead of the game after a three-pointer by Melo Sanchez made it 5-4 before a driving layup by Nico Ashley pushed it to a three-point lead at the 16:20 mark. A pair of foul shots and a trey by Jay Rodgers would push the CCSU lead to 14-6 at the 14:23 mark before a three-pointer by Darin Smith, Jr. pushed the lead to double-figures at 17-7.
- LIU would cut the deficit to five with back-to-back baskets before a pair of foul shots by Shadrak Lasu made it 22-19 with 7:15 to play in the period. A three-pointer by Mason Porter-Brown would push the LIU run to 9-0 and tie the game at 22-all. Central ended its scoring drought at 3:32 with a three-point play by Max Frazier to make it 25-22 at the 6:16 mark.
- The Blue Devils would return the lead to as many as five points but LIU would run off five straight points to take a momentary two-point lead after a dunk by Mason Porter-Brown made it 33-31. CCSU would push ahead on a trifecta by Smith, Jr. before a long jumper by Jomo Goings put LIU ahead, 37-36 at the intermission.
- Daniel James opened the second half with four straight points to put CCSU ahead, 40-37, at the 19:00 mark. LIU would respond by scoring 10 unanswered points and holding the Blue Devils scoreless for over five minutes. LIU would push its lead to 47-40 after a pair of Jamal Fuller foul shots. CCSU would end its scoring drought with two foul shots by Ashton Reynolds at the 13:27 mark, but the Blue Devils would miss 10 straight field goals as LIU built a double-digit lead.
- A layup by Frazier with 11-and-a-half minutes remaining would end CCSU's field goal drought and make it 52-44. The Blue Devils would get within five points with 9:46 to play but LIU would quickly push the lead back to double figures and held CCSU without a field goal for five-plus minutes. The Sharks would score nine straight to close the game and build its largest lead of the game.
NUMBER TO KNOW
21 – The Blue Devils were outscored 28-7 in fastbreak points, with the margin matching the final outcome of the game.
NOTES
- Frazier shot 5-of-10 from the field and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. He added two assists, two steals and three blocked shots.
- Rodgers hit 7-of-7 foul shots, while giving out a game-high eight assists.
- CCSU was outrebounded, 39-31, but had a 11-9 edge on the offensive glass.
- LIU won the both matchups this season and leads the all-time series, 33-26
UP NEXT
- The Blue Devils play the second of three straight home games when they host Chicago State on Thursday night.
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