Central Connecticut State's high-powered offense proved too much for Saint Francis to handle, as the Blue Devils secured a 98-90 win at DeGol Arena. The victory was fueled by a spectacular performance from Darin Smith Jr., who poured in 34 points and grabbed 9 rebounds to lead Central Connecticut State to its 10th win of the season.
The game got off to a fast-paced start, with Central Connecticut State taking a 47-43 lead into halftime. Saint Francis's Ahmad Harrison was instrumental in keeping his team close, dishing out 7 assists to go along with his 17 points. However, Smith Jr. was unstoppable, scoring from all levels of the court and drawing fouls to get to the free-throw line.
In the second half, Central Connecticut State continued to push the pace, outscoring Saint Francis 51-47 to seal the win. Melo Sanchez chipped in with 18 points for the Blue Devils, while Max Frazier added 14 points and 6 rebounds. For Saint Francis, Gestin Liberis and Skylar Wicks joined Harrison in double figures, scoring 14 points apiece, but it wasn't enough to overcome the visitors' potent attack.
The loss drops Saint Francis to 6-14 on the season, while Central Connecticut State improves to 10-9. Despite the defeat, Harrison's performance was a bright spot for the Red Flash, showcasing his ability to create for himself and his teammates. However, on this day, Smith Jr. was the star of the show, and his effort propelled Central Connecticut State to a convincing win.
This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for both teams, meaning it won't carry significant weight in terms of NCAA Tournament resume building. Nevertheless, the win is still important for Central Connecticut State, as it helps to bolster the Blue Devils' overall record and provides a confidence boost heading into their next matchup. For Saint Francis, the loss is a setback, but the Red Flash want to regroup and refocus as they continue to navigate their schedule.
The outcome of this game reinforces Central Connecticut State's position as a mid-tier team in its conference, while Saint Francis remains in search of consistency and momentum. As the season wears on, both teams want to make a push and improve their standing, but for now, the Blue Devils can savor a hard-fought road win. With this result, Central Connecticut State's tournament chances remain on the periphery, but the Blue Devils will continue to battle for a potential postseason berth.