On Monday, Central Connecticut State University men’s basketball won a tight contest against Merrimack 75-70 at home in Detrick Gymnasium.
The win keeps Central perfect in Northeast Conference play and extends their winning streak to five games.
Graduate student Allan Jeanne-Rose completely took over the match, scoring a game-high 24 points and adding eight rebounds and two steals.
He was a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line, including the final four points to ice the game for Central.
Jeanne-Rose did not attempt a single three-point shot but attacked Merrimack’s zone defense at the rim instead.
“When I get an open shot, I’m going to shoot it,” Jeanne-Rose said. “Today was a little different … Since they play zone, they want me to stay in the middle and try to find guys on the outside or even try to make a play for myself.”
Senior Kellen Amos and junior Jayden Brown also heavily contributed to the scoring, as they put in 12 and 15 points, respectively.
Amos was the guy from outside the arc, attempting six of Central’s 10 three-point shots and hitting two.
“I’m not just going out, trying to shoot a bunch of threes, but if they’re there, I’m going to take them,” Amos said.
Amos was, per usual, a factor on both ends of the floor, coming up with a steal and two chase-down blocks.
Brown also swatted two shots, while senior Jordan Jones continued to jump passing lanes for two steals of his own.
Senior Tre Breland once again displayed his versatility, this time starting in the place of junior Davonte Sweatman.
Breland scored nine points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out three assists, came up with four steals, and rejected two shots. One of the NEC’s top players in offensive rating thus far, Breland continued to show why he may be the x-factor for the Blue Devils down the stretch.
Head coach Patrick Sellers acknowledged the loss of Sweatman but was not concerned with his rotations.
“Tre is a bigger guard, very fast and athletic, so he actually gave us another athletic defender,” Sellers said. “He’s longer in the passing lanes.”
The Blue Devils look to take their early momentum into their upcoming match against Le Moyne on Jan. 19.
