Udenze Leads Blue Devils to 60-48 Win at New Hampshire

Junior Justina Udenze recorded her first double-double of the season as the Central Connecticut State University women's basketball team defeated New Hampshire 60-48 on the road Thursday evening. The forward scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, including 10 and 10 during second half play to lead Central to victory. Central improves to 3-5 on the season, while New Hampshire falls to 3-5.

After finishing the first half with five points and two rebounds, Udenze started the second period and tallied six points in the first 4:15 of the frame to give Central a 41-36 lead with 15:45 to play in the game. Udenze connected a traditional three point play, as well as another layup and free throw during the stretch.

The Blue Devils extended their lead to double digits at 54-44 behind the play of junior Kerrianne Dugan. She made it 52-44 when she fed sophomore Gabrielle Oglesby for a wide open layup with 3:35 to play. Dugan then took it the basket herself and gave Central the 10 point lead with a lefty runner in the lane with only 2:41 remaining. The Blue Devils held on for the 60-48 win.

Down 15-10 halfway through the first half, CCSU scored three straight baskets to take its first lead since 5-2 and made it 16-15 with 9:01 to play in the first half. Udenze put in a layup to start the stretch, which was followed by a fastbreak layup by Dugan. Senior Emily Rose finished up the run with a jumper from the right baseline.

Central held a slight 24-22 advantage with 3:08 to play in the first half, before New Hampshire finished the period on a 11-5 run. Sophomore Denise Beliveau put a stamp on the Wildcat run, connecting on a three-pointer as the horn sounded to make it 22-29 at the break. Junior Jill McDonald helped get New Hampshire off to the good start, scoring 10 points on 5-10 shooting in the first half.

Sophomore Alexzandria Dowdy, getting her first start of the season, led the Blue Devils in the opening frame with six points. She added three rebounds and four steals in the half.

Oglesby finished in double figures for the second time this season, scoring 10 and grabbing six rebounds. Junior Leanne Crockett and Dowdy both tallied nine points in the victory. Crockett knocked down three from beyond the arc and added six boards, while Dowdy chipped in with three assists and four steals. Dugan recorded eight points, eight boards and four assists in the victory.

McDonald led the Wildcats with 12 points and six rebounds, while seniors Candace Williams and Amy Simpson chipped in with seven points each for New Hampshire in the loss.

The Blue Devils will next take the court on the road against Rutgers on Sunday, December 20 at 2:00 p.m.