By Christopher McLaughlin
Backed by an MVP-caliber performance from Ken Horton, the CCSU men’s basketball team routed conference opponent Bryant 71-55 Wednesday.
Posting his NEC leading ninth double-double of the season, Horton led the Blue Devils (17-7) to its seventh straight victory. Horton led everybody with 23 points and 11 rebounds. While that would be enough to garner support for the NEC MVP award, Horton didn’t stop there. His six blocks and six steals may have put Horton as the leading candidate for the award, showing his ability to dominate a game on both sides of the court.
“Lots of guys on the floor helped me get open and I was able to knock down the shots,” said Horton. “I’ll do whatever it takes, whatever they need me to do I’ll do.”
The atmosphere was electric as the game tipped off in front of a packed Detrick Gymnasium. Fans brought energy for this televised game and the Blue Devils responded by jumping out to an early lead.
“Very good crowd tonight,” said Head Coach Howie Dickenman. “It’s very nice to have a crowd like that. Like my father always said, ‘It pays to be a winner.’”
After a timeout, however, CCSU started to get overwhelmed by Bryant’s barrage of three pointers. Bryant (8-17) caught fire from beyond the arc knocking down five three-pointers to put the Bulldogs up 24-14.
“We had to bring the pressure,” said Horton. “Coach said we didn’t bring pressure for the first nine minutes, but we made an adjustment and cut down on their threes.”
The adjustment worked, as Bryant wouldn’t make another three-pointer for the half. Without the threes falling at the other end, CCSU was able to close the gap and eventually take the lead while going on a 14-0 run.
The Blue Devils continued to feed the ball down low as Bryant lacked a post presence to stop them. CCSU outscored Bryant 20-8 in the paint for the first half and with the lead in hand the Blue Devils never looked back.
“I talk often about our goal of 40 minutes of misery,” said Dickenman. “For the first nine minutes, for whatever reason, we didn’t pressure, so I have to settle for 31 minutes of misery.”
The first half ended close at 31-29 and the Blue Devils came out in the second to prove it shouldn’t remain that way.
Horton’s performance set the tone for the rest of the team. It wasn’t long until the game was out of reach for Bryant. The Blue Devils led by as many as 24, showing no mercy on defense, with nine steals and five blocks in the second half.
“We showed a spark in the second half, but I wish it was for 40 minutes,” said Dickenman. “Ken just gets better and better, we’re really spoiled by him. Our core three has really flourished and its been a really fun year. Even without the winning its fun to be around the guys.”
While he had the stats backing him up before the game, Horton’s performance may have solidified him as the MVP. Leading the NEC in points and barely trailing in rebounds, it will be difficult to find reasons to give the award to somebody else.
“I won’t say Horton’s the MVP, but…I wasn’t nodding that was just a crick in my neck,” said Dickenman.
The Blue Devils remain one game out of first place in the NEC behind Long Island University. Both teams seem to have forgotten how to lose as they have both won at least five straight. While not yet in first, the Blue Devils have at least clinched a spot in the NEC tournament.
Knowing the importance of home court advantage, the Blue Devils will continue to battle for first place. CCSU will go to Rhode Island to rematch Bryant on Saturday and will return home next week to face Sacred Heart and Quinnipiac.