Blue Devils Sweep Season Series with Mount, Wade and Dugan Score 14 Each in 60-47 Win in Emmitsburg

Junior P.J. Wade and sophomore Kerrianne Dugan each had 14 points to lead Central Connecticut (12-7, 7-2) in a 60-47 win at Mount St. Mary's (7-11, 2-7). Sophomore Leanne Crockertt added 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Blue Devils, who completed the season sweep versus the Mountaineers. Freshman Shontice Simmons, meanwhile, contributed nine points, six rebounds and a career-high eight assists in the win.

Simmons scored Central Connecticut's first eight points, forging an 8-3 Blue Devil lead with just less than two minutes run off the clock. The lead grew to 10-3 before a jumper from junior Hassanah Oliver and a three-pointer by senior Brianna Gauthier drew Mount St. Mary's within two. Crockett then responded with five straight points to stretch the CCSU lead to seven points. Crockett's two baskets also started a 20-4 Blue Devil run.

Crockett had seven points during the 20-4 run. Dugan added eight, and Wade had five. The run was highlighted by a 13-0 Blue Devil surge, during which both Dugan and Wade converted three-point plays. After sophomore Mary Dunn ended the Mount St. Mary's scoreless drought, sophomore Justina Udenze made a jumper, was fouled, and hit the free throw to give CCSU its largest lead, 33-14, of the first half. The Blue Devils took a 34-19 advantage to the locker room.

Dugan led Central Connecticut with nine points in the first half. Simmons had eight points, five assists and two steals, while Wade and Crockett scored seven points each. Gauthier had six points on two three-pointers to lead the Mount. CCSU shot 13-of-29 (44.8 percent) from the floor while limiting Mount St. Mary's to 8-of-30 (26.7 percent) shooting. The Blue Devils also had 10 assists on their 13 makes.

The Blue Devil lead grew to 20 points, 42-22, in the opening minutes of the second half. It would be their largest of the game. Mount St. Mary's cut the margin to 12 points with 6:35 remaining, but another Udenze layup and one ended the threat of a Mountaineer comeback. The 12-point margin, which was matched with 3:34 left, was as close as the Mount would get.

Udenze finished with eight points and a game-high nine rebounds. Dugan added four steals, three rebounds and two assists to her 14-point effort, while Wade had five rebounds and two assists to go with her 14 points. As a team, CCSU had 17 assists on 23 makes and outrebounded the Mount, 41-36. The Blue Devils also forced 19 Mountaineer turnovers. Gauthier led Mount St. Mary's with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Leah Westbrooks had 10 points, and Dunn posted nine points and a team-best eight rebounds.

Central Connecticut will continue its three-game road stretch on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Blue Devils face Sacred Heart at 2 p.m. in Fairfield.