In a stunning turn of events, Central Connecticut State traveled to Ted Grant Court and handed Le Moyne a 10-point loss, winning 69-59. This upset is significant, as Le Moyne, with a net ranking of 255, was expected to take care of business against the 278th-ranked Blue Devils. However, Central Connecticut State had other plans, riding the coattails of Darin Smith Jr.'s impressive performance to pull off the surprise victory.
The Blue Devils set the tone early, taking a 26-17 lead into halftime. Le Moyne struggled to find their footing in the first half, with their usually reliable offense sputtering. Shilo Jackson, Le Moyne's top performer, did his best to keep his team afloat, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Blue Devils' strong start. Trent Mosquera and Jakai Sanders also chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively, but Le Moyne's offense couldn't find a consistent rhythm.
On the other hand, Central Connecticut State's Darin Smith Jr. was unstoppable, pouring in 24 points and hauling in 12 rebounds to lead his team to victory. Max Frazier and Jay Rodgers also made significant contributions, scoring 14 and 12 points, respectively. The Blue Devils' balanced attack and relentless defense was too much for Le Moyne to handle, as they extended their lead in the second half.
The loss is a significant blow to Le Moyne's resume, as this game was considered a Quadrant 4 matchup. Dropping a game to a team ranked lower than them will not help their tournament chances. On the other hand, Central Connecticut State's win is a much-needed boost to their resume, also considered a Quadrant 4 game. While it may not be enough to propel them into serious tournament contention, it's a step in the right direction.
This upset win will undoubtedly be a confidence booster for the Blue Devils, who have now improved to 10-9 on the season. As for Le Moyne, they fall to 11-10 and must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament. With this loss, Le Moyne's tournament chances take a hit, and they must string together some impressive wins to get back on track. For Central Connecticut State, this win keeps their slim tournament hopes alive, and they want to build on this momentum as they continue their season.