By Christopher McLaughlin

The CCSU men’s basketball team overcame two separate double digit deficits and a closely contested final minute to defeat the University of Hartford 64-62 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Despite being outscored in the paint 34 to 12 and outrebounded 39 to 31, CCSU made big plays that allowed the team to come out on top.

“It was evident it was our first game, but when push came to shove we made the big plays,” said Head Coach Howie Dickenman.

CCSU got off to a slow start scoring just 10 points in the first 14 minutes of play. The starters seemed to struggle finding their rhythm as only Shemik Thompson made more than one shot in the first half.

The Blue Devils trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half before a crucial five-point play brought them back into the game. The play began with a three-pointer by freshman De’Angelo Speech. A foul away from the ball led to two free throws.

That play proved to be the spark CCSU needed, as Vince Rosario came off the bench to make an impact by hitting a couple of threes.

“I give a lot of credit to Hartford,” said Dickenmen “They took it to us in the first half and we were lucky to only be down by five. Our starters were sub-par, and our bench had to carry us. The effort was there but so were the mistakes.”

Led by Senior Forward Morgan Sabia, Hartford increased the lead to 43-31 in the second half as CCSU went four minutes without a point. Sabia finished the game with 23 points and 13 rebounds to lead in both categories.

After a steal by Thompson, CCSU ended the drought with a jumper from Devan Bailey. The hustle plays made by both Thompson and Rosario allowed CCSU to cut the lead to four. Hartford scored two quick baskets, but the defensive play of Speech prevented the lead from growing.

“Speech set the tone for us on defense,” said Dickenman. “He had a big steal that led to two free throws that kept us in the game.”

With the lead back to four, Thompson knocked down a three that cut the lead to one. On Hartford’s next possession freshman Terrell Allen rejected a lay-up attempt by Anthony Minor to keep the lead at one. A foul on Sabia sent Ken Horton to the line to give CCSU the lead.

Sabia continued to put in work as he put Hartford up by three before Thompson drained another three-pointer to tie the game at 57.

“I felt confident when I took the shot,” said Thompson. “If somebody had to take the shot it might as well have been me.”

After a block by Speech, CCSU was able to take the lead on foul shots.

CCSU went up by as many as four before a three by Joe Zeglinski cut it to one. With .4 seconds left, Thompson stepped up and sunk the first free throw before intentionally missing the second to run the clock down and win the game.

“We played sloppy throughout the game, but we showed that we had a mental toughness. We didn’t fold after going down big and we showed we had depth with our bench play,” said Dickenman.

While Dickenman was disappointed with the mistakes his team made, he knows they will get better as the season progresses.

“We will get better game to game, practice to practice, any time you get a win wearing road jerseys it’s a good sign,” said Dickenman.

Following the win against Hartford, CCSU travels to West Point to play Army on Nov. 15. They will stay on the road facing University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Penn State before playing the first home game of the season on Nov. 27 against Monmouth.