Crockett Sinks Terriers with Late Three

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team wrapped up the regular season with a win at St. Francis (NY) on Monday night. The Blue Devils and Terriers went back and forth the entire game, but with 2:25 left senior Leanne Crockett knocked down a three pointer that proved to be the difference. Senior Justine Udenze scored a game-high 23 points and Crockett recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

The Terriers got on the board first with a three pointer with 18:40 left in the game. The Blue Devils answered with a layup from Udenze, who followed that with a short jumper on the next possession to give Central a 4-3 lead.

The Terriers countered with a anther three pointer, but again Central answered with a put back by senior Leanne Crockett, tying the game at 6-6. Crockett followed that with a three pointer which gave the Blue Devils a 9-6 advantage, before another St. Francis three tied the game at 9-9 heading into the second media timeout.

Neither team was able to build a significant lead in the final eight minutes of the half. The teams traded leads before a layup in the final minute gave the Terriers a 27-25 halftime lead.

Crockett finished with 11 points in the half, Udenze dropped in eight and grabbed six rebounds. Crockett was four of eight from the floor and three of six from behind the arc.

Central came out of the half and built a 34-31 lead four minutes into the period. Udenze scored seven of the Blue Devils nine points to open the half.

The Blue Devils built their biggest lead of the game at the 14 minute mark when Crockett drilled a three to give her team a 39-33 lead. A pair of put back baskets by Udenze increased the lead to 43-36 heading into the second media timeout.

Udenze took over the game midway through the second half scoring eight of her teams 10 points between the 13:00 and 9:00 minute marks, as the Blue Devils fought off the Terriers comeback attempts.

The Terriers tied the game at 52-52, but Crockett drilled a three pointer to give the Blue Devils a 55-52 lead with 2:25 left in the game.

St. Francis fouled trying to get the ball back, sending freshman Jessica Babe to the free throw line where she knocked down a pair of free throws to put the Blue Devils ahead by 57-54. Babe was sent to the line again on the next possession after stealing the ball from St. Francis, effectively icing the game for the Blue Devils.

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday in the opening round of the NEC Tournament the seeds have yet to be determined, but the Blue Devils can possibly host a playoff game depending on the outcome of the today's other games.