Men's Basketball Drops 67-55 Decision at New Hampshire on Wednesday Night

Junior guard Shemik Thompson scored a season-high 20 points but the Central Connecticut State University men's basketball team dropped a 67-55 decision on the road at New Hampshire on Wednesday night. With the loss Central drops to 2-5 overall on the season. They return to action on Saturday in their home opener at 2 p.m. against Albany.

The Wildcats took a 32-29 lead at halftime, and shot 50 percent from the floor. They hit 13-of-26 from the field and 5-of-12 from three. Alvin Abreu had 16 points at the half and hit three of the threes for the Wildcats. Thompson had 10 points to lead the Blue Devils and also had a team-best four rebounds. He was 3-of-8 from the field and 4-of-4 from the line.

Central hit 11-of-24 from the field and 2-of-6 from three in the half. They turned the ball over six times and forced nine turnovers by the Wildcats.

In the second half the Wildcats scored the first seven points and opened up a 39-29 lead with 16:51 on the clock. Central missed its first four shots from the floor in the half, and had only two field goals in the half's first 11 minutes.

Down 10, the Blue Devils cut the lead to five at 49-44 on a basket underneath by freshman Joe Efese. New Hampshire answered with eight straight points to open up their biggest lead of the game, 57-44, with under four minutes on the clock.

Central would get no closer than nine the rest of the way, 60-51, with 1:37 on the clock.

Thompson led the way with a season-best 20 points. Senior Joe Seymore added 10 and sophomore Robby Ptacek had nine to lead the Blue Devils.

Abreu led the way for New Hampshire with a game-high 25 points.

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday in their home opener playing host to Albany beginning at 2 p.m. in Detrick Gym.

The 2009-10 basketball season is brought to you by Farmington Bank.