By Chris McLaughlin
Leaving it all on the floor, the CCSU men’s basketball team lost a heartbreaker 68-67 to Quinnipiac in what could have been a preview of the NEC tournament.
Despite yet another MVP performance from Ken Horton, the Blue Devils (18-9) couldn’t overcome the rest of the team’s ineffectiveness on offense. It was Quinnipiac (19-8) 67, Horton 35 with the rest of Blue Devils chipping in 32 points in CCSU’s final home game of the season.
Horton’s 35 points were a career high. He not only scored more than half the points that both teams put up, but he also more than doubled the next highest scorer in the game and almost quadrupled of CCSU’s next highest scorer. Add in nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals to his already inflated stat line, and its clear no player in the NEC is as valuable to their team as Horton. Even though the rest of the team struggled, the Blue Devils still had a chance to win.
“There wasn’t any flow to the game,” said Head Coach Howie Dickenman. “We had a tournament type atmosphere, but we didn’t make plays when we had to. Ken didn’t have a supporting cast, and with how poorly we shot it would have been thievery in the first degree if we won.”
Since it was the last home game of the year, it was also Senior Day for the Blue Devils. Honored before the game, Shemik Thompson and team manager Matt Stevens, took part in the final home game of their careers. With a packed house full of energy, the Blue Devils final home game of the season got underway. Riding the energy, Horton scored the first six points for CCSU, including a fast break dunk that brought the crowd to its feet.
“If I play with a lot of energy, the guys kind of feed off me and we’ll pick it up another level. Today that didn’t happen but we will correct our mistakes,” said Horton.
After getting elbowed in the face, Thompson went to the foul line for his technical free throws. In what summed up the game best, Thompson missed both of the free throws. The chippy play didn’t stop there.
After making a lay-up and drawing a hard foul, Horton got in the face of Tevin Baskin and was promptly given a technical. Later in the half, Quinnipiac’s Dave Johnson was also given a technical for arguing with a referee. Once again, Thompson missed both of the free throws that came with it.
“We feel that the foul line is out best friend,” said Dickenman. “Free throw, F-R-E-E throw, so we tried to take advantage and for the most part we did. When you go to the foul line for four technicals that’s great, but we couldn’t convert.”
With Horton’s 16 first-half points, the Blue Devils went into halftime with a slight lead. The lead didn’t last long into the second however, and Quinnipiac began to pull away.
Going on an 11-4 run, the Bobcats brought its lead up to 10 at the 12:20 mark. A timeout was called and put a halt to Quinnipiac’s rising momentum.
Sparked once again by Horton, CCSU quickly tied the game up with only Horton being able to generate any offense. Even with the momentum back on CCSU’s side, the team could not pull away. The defense was there for the Blue Devils, but the offense wasn’t. As a team, CCSU made only 17 field goals, 10 of which Horton’s.
“I’m not sure if I can ask for more from Ken, he scored more than 50 percent of our points, rebounded, blocked shots, made 13 of 14 free throws, but he didn’t get a lot of help.” said Dickenman.
With the clock winding down, CCSU trailed by one and had a chance to walk away with the win. Dickenman drew up a play for Horton, but good defense from Quinnipiac forced him to heave up a prayer well beyond the arc. The shot missed and Thompson grabbed the rebound and despite being knocked to the ground no foul was called and the game ended.
“I was hot during the game so I wanted the ball,” said Horton. “I got a clear shot but it didn’t go in.”
Though the Blue Devils are locked in the tournament, this loss bumps them from second place. CCSU is tied in the conference with Quinnipiac, but lost the season series with them.
“We had a chance to lock up second place tonight, but now were in a dog fight,” said Dickenman. “We have to get back to doing what we do best and that’s making shots.”
The Blue Devils will look to rebound from its second home loss of the season and regain some momentum before the tournament. The team travels to New York on Thursday to take on St. Francis before finishing out the regular season at Long Island University.
