CCSU Moves to 5-0 in Northeast Conference, Oglesby Leads Blue Devils with 16 Points in 81-61 Win

Central Connecticut (10-5, 5-0) defeated Wagner (5-10, 1-4), 81-61, in Northeast Conference home action. It was the fifth straight win for the Blue Devils. Freshman Gabrielle Oglesby matched a season-high with 16 points, and classmate Shontice Simmons had 15 points, six rebounds and four assists in the victory. Sophomore Kerrianne Dugan added 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals for CCSU.

The Blue Devils, who never trailed in the game, shot 30-of-51 (58.8 percent) from the field, including 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) from three-point range. They also posted a 37-28 rebounding advantage.

The solid shooting performance started early, as Central Connecticut hit on 15-of-24 (62.5 percent) first half attempts. The Blue Devils led 8-2 early, but Wagner responded to make it a one-point game with just more than six minutes run off the clock. CCSU gradually built its lead over the proceeding five minutes. Senior Jhanay Harris hit the second of her two three-pointers with 8:44 remaining in the half. It extended the Blue Devil margin to 27-17. The advantage reached 16 points, 41-25, with 2:25 left, and Central Connecticut took a 43-29 lead at the break.

Harris led CCSU with eight points on 3-of-3 shooting in the opening half. Dugan added six points and five rebounds, while sophomore Leanne Crockett had five points and five rebounds. The Blue Devils limited Wagner to 1-of-10 shooting from three-point distance and outrebounded the Seahawks, 16-9. Senior Casey Stokes had nine points to pace Wagner.

Wagner scored the first points of the second half, but it was all Central Connecticut from there. The Blue Devils went on a 14-0 run to build a 57-31 lead with 14 minutes left in the game. The 26-point margin would be the largest of the contest, and Wagner did not get any closer than 16 points for the duration.

Crockett added nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists to the efforts of Oglesby, Simmons and Dugan. Sophomore Justina Udenze also had nine points, while junior P.J. Wade contributed eight points, four rebounds and three assists. Junior Andrea Reed led Wagner with 16 points, five assists and three steals. Stokes finished with 12 points.

Central Connecticut, which has now eclipsed the 80-point mark on three occasions this season, will look to run their NEC record to 6-0 on Saturday, Jan. 17, at St. Francis (PA). Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.

OF NOTE: The Blue Devils 10 wins thus far are the most since the 2000-01 season when Central Connecticut finished 14-13. CCSU has not won five straight games since the 1997-98 season. The team won six in a row that season.