Wade's Second Half Propels Blue Devils to 68-57 Northeast Conference Win at Wagner

Junior P.J. Wade matched a career-high with 18 points, including 16 in the second half, to lead Central Connecticut (13-8, 8-3) in a 68-57 Northeast Conference win at Wagner (6-15, 2-9). Wade also had seven rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Kerrianne Dugan added 18 points and six rebounds, while sophomore Leanne Crockett posted her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

After going 0-of-6 from the field in the opening half, Wade scored CCSU's first 10 second half points. She hit two three-pointers and four free throws during the stretch. Wade's surge helped Central Connecticut build a 39-25 lead.

The Blue Devils broke open a 6-4 game in the first half with nine unanswered points over a 3:09 stretch. Sophomore Justina Udenze had four points and Crockett hit a three to key the run. The lead proved critical, as CCSU went 7:07 between field goals. Freshman Gabrielle Oglesby made four free throws during the drought to keep Central Connecticut's margin at eight points, and a Dugan layup following a Wagner free throw put the Blue Devils ahead 23-14. The Seahawks drew to within six points on three occasions, including the final first half margin. CCSU led 29-23.

Dugan had nine points to pace the Blue Devils in the opening 20 minutes. Udenze added four points and nine rebounds. Oglesby and Crockett each had six points. Sophomore Ashley Olsen led Wagner with eight points. Central Connecticut limited the Seahawks to 8-of-33 (24.2 percent) shooting. The Blue Devils also posted a 24-22 rebounding edge and had nine assists on 10 makes.

Wagner did not connect from the field over the first 6:36 of the second half. Central Connecticut outscored the Seahawks, 13-2, during that time, building a 42-25 lead. The 17-point margin would be CCSU's largest, and Wagner battled back to within single digits down the stretch. Two free throws and a jumper from junior Andrea Reed made it a 61-55 game with 1:13 remaining, but the Blue Devils scored seven straight at the free throw line to seal the win.

Udenze added four points, 10 rebounds and three blocks to the efforts of Wade, Dugan and Crockett. Oglesby, meanwhile, had 11 points and five rebounds. She shot 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Olsen led Wagner with 10 points and eight rebounds.

With its three-game road stretch now complete, Central Connecticut returns to Detrick Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 7 to face Robert Morris. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live audio and video will be available on CCSUBlueDevils.com. Check out mediaCENTRAL for more information.