Central Connecticut State Blue Devils Hold Off Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 63-57 Behind Darin Smith Jr.'s 17 Points

The Central Connecticut State Blue Devils secured a 63-57 win over the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights, led by Darin Smith Jr.'s 17 points. The Blue Devils, now 15-10, shot 42.9% from the field, including 33.3% from three-point range, to take down the Knights. Fairleigh Dickinson, with a record of 10-17, was paced by Arthur Cox's 16 points and 8 rebounds. The Knights struggled with turnovers, committing 15, which ultimately hindered their ability to mount a comeback.

The Central Connecticut State Blue Devils took an early 30-25 lead at halftime, thanks in part to Darin Smith Jr.'s 10 first-half points. The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights fought to stay within striking distance, but the Blue Devils' consistent offense allowed them to maintain a lead throughout the second half. With 5 minutes remaining, the Knights trailed by 10 points, 55-45, but managed to cut the deficit to 59-55 with 1:30 left. However, the Blue Devils made crucial free throws late, finishing 12-15 from the line, to seal the 63-57 victory. The Knights' 32 second-half points were not enough to overcome their first-half deficit, as they shot just 37.5% from the field.

Arthur Cox led the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights with 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Darin Smith Jr. paced the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils with 17 points. Jay Rodgers added 15 points for the Blue Devils, and Melo Sanchez chipped in with 11 points and 5 rebounds. For the Knights, Joey Niesman scored 12 points, and Taeshaud Jackson grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with his 6 points. The Blue Devils' balanced attack, which featured three players in double figures, was too much for the Knights to handle.

The Central Connecticut State Blue Devils outrebounded the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 35-32, including 10-8 on the offensive glass. The Blue Devils also committed fewer turnovers, with 12 compared to the Knights' 15. From the free-throw line, the Blue Devils shot 80%, making 12 of their 15 attempts, while the Knights made 10 of 14, or 71.4%. The Blue Devils' 33.3% three-point shooting was a key factor in their victory, as they made 5 of their 15 attempts from beyond the arc.

The CHD Scout predicted a Central Connecticut State victory by 4.4 points, and the Blue Devils ultimately won by 6. This prediction was correct, as the Blue Devils' strong team performance and balanced scoring led to their 63-57 win. The predicted score was 69-73 in favor of the Blue Devils, but both teams scored fewer points than expected. The CHD Scout's prediction was accurate, as the Blue Devils' 15-10 record and NET ranking of 275 gave them an edge over the Knights, who have a record of 10-17 and a NET ranking of 323.

This win improves the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils' record to 15-10, while the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights fall to 10-17. As a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, the victory does not significantly boost the Blue Devils' tournament resume, but it does help to solidify their position. The Blue Devils' NET ranking of 275 remains relatively unchanged, while the Knights' ranking of 323 also remains steady. The loss drops the Knights to 10-17, making it increasingly difficult for them to make a late-season push for a tournament berth.

The Central Connecticut State Blue Devils want to build on this momentum in their next game, while the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights will aim to bounce back from this tough loss. The Blue Devils' next game is scheduled for February 17, but the opponent has not been announced. The Knights will also play on February 17, with their opponent to be determined.