Udenze and Dugan Lead Central Past St. Francis (NY), 69-51

Juniors Justina Udenze and Kerrianne Dugan each recorded double-doubles as Central Connecticut State University defeated St. Francis (NY) by a score of 69-51 at home on Monday night. Udenze tallied game highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Dugan scored 13 points and grabbed 11 boards. The Blue Devils improved to 4-8 on the season and are back to even in Northeast Conference play with a 1-1 mark. The Terriers fall to 1-11 overall and 0-2 in the NEC.

Central Connecticut scored the final 11 points of the first half to take a commanding 37-21 lead at halftime. Five different Blue Devils scored baskets during the stretch. Junior Leanne Crockett started the run, finishing a layup that increased the CCSU lead to seven, at 28-21. After jumpers by freshman Brooke Bailey, senior P.J. Wade and freshman Kirsten Daamen, Dugan capped off the half with a three-pointer to make it 37-21. It was the highest point total this season for the Blue Devils in a first half.

The Blue Devils increased their lead, early in the second half, to as many as 21 when they led 42-21 just 2:06 into the second period. Dugan got the scoring started with a traditional three point play. Wade fed her on the fast break and Dugan finished the layup while being fouled. The forward knocked down the free throw, and finished the game four out of five from the charity stripe. Daamen increased the lead to 21 when she finished in the paint on an unassisted layup.

The Terriers comeback attempt failed as they got no closer than 12 the rest of the way out. Jacinda Williams and Shannon Gantt were integral to the St. Francis (NY) attack, knocking down jump shots in the second half to try and get the Terriers back into the game. Both players finished the game with 14 points to lead St. Francis (NY).

The Blue Devils did most of their damage down low, outscoring the Terriers by a mark of 40-16 in paint points. CCSU also led in points off the bench due mostly to Udenze's 14, but Bailey also came in off the bench to add 11. Daamen was the fourth Blue Devil to finish in double figures, scoring 10 in 15 minutes.

CCSU will next travel to Monmouth for NEC action on Thursday, January 7 for a 12:00 p.m. tipoff.

The 2009-10 men's and women's basketball seasons are brought to you by Farmington Bank.