The Central Connecticut State University women’s basketball team had complete control over Merrimack College in their 78-72 win on Saturday in Detrick Gymnasium.
The win tied CCSU and Merrimack for fourth place in Northeast Conference play with a record of 4-5.
Sophomore Samora Watson dominated the scoring with 37 points, her fifth game with over 25 points.
“The team feeds off my energy,” Watson said. “When I have good energy, we have a good game, so I try to keep my energy high.”
Watson dominated not only on offense but on defense as well. She recorded two steals and seven rebounds.
Merrimack handed CCSU their first conference loss in January. Watson scored six points in that game and was seeking revenge this time. She said losing was not an option.
“First time we played them, I had a bad game, and I just had to get my get back,” Watson said.
The 2023-24 Northeast Conference women’s basketball preseason poll had CCSU picked to finish ninth, which is last place.
Watson said the team knows that the NEC preseason poll predicted them to finish in last place, and they carry a chip on their shoulders each game because of it.
“This win was very important for the team,” she said. “We had a couple rough patches at the beginning, but now we just have to keep it going.”
Central looks to extend their two-game winning streak as they hope to creep up in the NEC standings.
The Blue Devils will be on the road for a game against Sacred Heart University before returning to Detrick Gymnasium to host the Le Moyne College Dolphins on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
