Junior Matt Hunter poured in a career-high 40 points but the Central Connecticut men's basketball team dropped a 100-69 decision on the road at #1/#1 Indiana on Saturday night. The Hoosiers, ranked first in both major polls, improve to 9-0 on the season. Central evens its record to 4-4 with the loss.
Hunter had a strong night for Central, scoring 26 second half points on his way to a new career-high. Hunter's 40 tie an Assembly Hall record for an opponent, and are just one off the CCSU Division I record for points in a game.
Hunter was 13-of-25 from the field, and 6-of-11 from three, and hit 8-of-8 from the line on his way to the impressive night. It marked the first time a Blue Devil scored 40 or more in a single game since Tristan Blackwood did it vs. Robert Morris during the 2007 season. He matched the Assembly Hall record set by Shawn Respert (1995) and Terry Furlow (1976), both of Michigan State.
Central will return to action on Friday night, Dec. 21 hosting Northeastern at home at 8 p.m. The game is part of a doubleheader as the women's team will host Rider at 6 p.m.
BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Indiana led 9-8 at first media timeout but a 28-8 run by the Hoosiers gave them a 37-16 lead with 8:30 to play. Indiana made 18 of its first 24 shots from the field to start the game and built the lead to 26 with just over five to play in the first half.
The Hoosiers led 53-34 at halftime and shot a blistering 63 percent from the field in the first half. The lead was as much as 26 before Central scored 16 points in the final five minutes of the half to chip into the lead.
Hunter led all Blue Devils with 14 first half points. Central shot just 12-of-35 (34 percent) from the field before the break, and made 4-of-14 from three. They were outrebounded 24-13. Freshman Brandon Peel had five before the break.
Central scored the first bucket of the second half, but the Hoosiers opened the lead to 24 with seven straight in the next two minutes.
Hunter's second three of the half cut the lead to 66-44. Central was down to 18, 68-50, on a pair of free-throws from Hunter and a jumper from sophomore Kyle Vinales.
Indiana opened up a 79-53 lead with 7:55 left to play on the heels of strong shooting and rebounding. The lead reached 30 for the first time with five minutes to play.
Central was led by Hunter's 40 and seven rebounds. Peel added seven rebounds and senior Joe Efese had eight points and three boards. Vinales ended the game with seven points, snapping his 20 point streak at six games, and his double-figure streak at 13. He was the nation's leading scorer entering the game.
Freshman Andrew Hurd scored his first career points with a pair of free-throws in the second half. He played a career-high eight minutes in the loss.
Indiana was led by All-American Cody Zeller who had 19 points and 19 rebounds. Christian Watford had 21 points to lead all Hoosier scorers.
The Blue Devils are off until Friday night, Dec. 21 at home vs. Northeastern at 8 p.m.

June 5, 2013
Four Blue Devils to be Inducted Into NEBHOF

May 24, 2013
Vinales Will Remain at CCSU

March 6, 2013
Men's Season Ends in NEC Quarters

March 5, 2013
Trio of Blue Devils Honored by NEC

March 2, 2013
Men Finish Regular Season with Loss

February 28, 2013
Blue Devils Win in 2OT Over SFU

February 26, 2013
Saturday Hoop Game Times Moved

February 25, 2013
Men's Hoop Tops Quinnipiac, 67-65

February 23, 2013
Efese Paces Blue Devils to Big Road Win

February 21, 2013
Men Fall at Bryant on Thursday

February 18, 2013
Peel Earns Second Weekly NEC Honor

February 16, 2013
Men Drop Third Straight

February 14, 2013
Vinales Has Big Night, Not Enough in Loss at Wagner

February 13, 2013
Men vs. Quinnipiac on Feb. 25

February 7, 2013
MONDAY UPDATE: GAMES OFF

February 7, 2013
Blue Devils Drop 81-75 Home Decision to LIU Brooklyn

February 4, 2013
Burbage Named Co-Player of the Week

February 2, 2013
Men Win Third Straight

January 31, 2013
Men Win Second Straight, Top Monmouth

January 31, 2013
Men Travel to Monmouth Tonight

January 26, 2013
Balanced Scoring Leads to Men's Victory

January 24, 2013
Blue Devils Drop Second Straight at Quinnipiac

January 19, 2013
Men Fall at Home to Mount St. Mary's

January 17, 2013
Vinales Pours in 30, Blue Devils Top Wagner

January 14, 2013
Peel Named Co-Rookie of the Week

January 12, 2013
Bryant Tops Central with Late Run

January 10, 2013
Men's Hoop Back Home Tonight

January 10, 2013
Men Win Second Straight, Top SHU 84-78

January 5, 2013
Men Win 77-70 at Robert Morris

January 3, 2013
Men Drop Conference Opener

January 3, 2013
Conference Play Begins Tonight

December 31, 2012
Central Comes Up Short at #7/7 Syracuse

December 31, 2012
Men Face #9 Syracuse on ESPNU

December 29, 2012
Men Drop Third Straight

December 29, 2012
Men Host St. Peter's at 1 p.m.

December 21, 2012
Men Drop Home Decision to Northeastern

December 21, 2012
Men Play Game Two of Doubleheader

December 10, 2012
Hunter Named NEC Player of the Week

December 8, 2012
Hunter Scores 40, Blue Devils Fall at #1 Indiana

December 5, 2012
Men Used Balanced Attack to Top UNH

November 24, 2012
Men's Hoop Win Streak Stopped at Hartford

November 20, 2012
Men Win Third Straight at UMBC

November 19, 2012
Vinales Named Player of the Week

November 18, 2012
Men Win Second Straight, 81-74

November 15, 2012
Dickenman Wins 250, CCSU Tops Brown

November 13, 2012
CCSU and Pack Network to Provide Enhanced Online Broadcasts

November 12, 2012
Blue Devils Drop Road Game at St. Peter's

November 10, 2012
Men's Hoop Drops Heartbreaker in CT6

October 22, 2012
Blue Devils Picked 8th in Coaches Poll

October 17, 2012
Basketball Tip-Off Dinner Set for Nov. 1

October 12, 2012
Ready, Set....

October 10, 2012
Matt Hunter Wins Annual Blue Devil Run

October 9, 2012
Howie Dickenman Signs Through 2015-16