Men's Basketball Stumbles at Chicago State
The Central Connecticut State men's basketball had its five-game win streak snapped with a 70-51 setback at Chicago State on Saturday. The Blue Devils did not lead after halftime and went over six-and-a-half minutes without a field goal when the Cougars took control of the game.
Darin Smith, Jr. was the only Blue Devil in double-figures with 19 points. Central shot 17-of-55 (.309) from the field, and 5-of-24 (.208) on three-pointers. CCSU was of 12-of-15 at the foul line.
CJ Ray led Chicago State with 15 points and nine rebounds. The Cougars shot 26-of-62 (.419) overall and 8-of-28 (.286) on three-pointers. CSU was 10-of-12 at the foul line.
GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE
Score: CCSU 51, CHICAGO STATE 70
Records: CCSU (16-11, 10-6 NEC), CSU (7-22, 5-11 NEC)
Location: Jones Convocation Center | Chicago, IL
KEY MOMENTS
- The game was a one-possession contest for the opening nine minutes of the game until CCSU scored five straight points. Melo Sanchez broke a tie with a three-pointer at the 12:20 mark and a pair of Ashton Reynolds foul shots made it 12-7 with 11:04 to play in the opening half.
- Central would use a seven-point spurt to take its largest lead of the day midway through the period. Darin Smith, Jr. scored five straight points to open the run before a dunk by Max Frazier made it 19-12 with 6:59 left in the half.
- Chicago State would go on a 9-0 run late in the half to take a lead. After a layup by Jay Rodgers with 5:33 left in the half, CCSU would be held scores until a foul shot by Smith, Jr. with 2:24 in the period. Rodgers would hit a three-pointer with 0:58 to go in the half to make it 28-25 at the intermission.
- A layup by James Jones to open the second half made it a one-point game, but Chicago State outscored CCSU, 12-5 over a five-minute span and increased its lead to 40-31. After a jumper by Smith, Jr. made it 44-38 with 11:53 remaining, the Cougars would not allow a Central field goal until a James Jones jump shot with 5:10 to play. Chicago State would lead 61-43 by then and the Blue Devils could get no closer than 15 points the rest of the way.
NUMBER TO KNOW
6:43 – Second half field goal drought for CCSU when Chicago State increased its lead from six to 20.
NOTES
- Smith, Jr. has led CCSU in scoring in 22 games. He shot 6-of-18 and had six rebounds.
- Smith, Jr. had his streak of 43 consecutive made foul shots end with a first half miss.
- James Jones had eight points and four rebounds.
- Frazier had seven points and eight rebounds with two blocked shots.
- Rodgers had seven points and three assists.
- CCSU had a three-game win streak in the series snapped and is 4-2 all-time against CSU.
UP NEXT
- The Blue Devils host Mercyhurst on Thursday night.
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