By Christopher McLaughlin
Even with Ken Horton’s 31 point performance, the CCSU men’s basketball team saw its five game win streak snapped when LIU defeated the Blue Devils 72-67.
The Blue Devils (10-7, 3-3 NEC) led for much of the game, but were unable to close it out. CCSU led up until the six minute mark of the second half when LIU (13-4, 5-1 NEC) went on an 11-0 run to overtake CCSU, sending the Blue Devils to its first home loss of the season.
“It was certainly a winnable game,” said Head Coach Howie Dickenman. “When we needed to make shots we were unable to.”
The game began with each team trading baskets until CCSU broke it open and jumped out to a 10-point lead. The Blue Devils were led by Robby Ptacek, who had 18 points in the first half, and Ken Horton, who had 13. Both Ptacek and Horton have been in a groove during the Blue Devils win streak and picked up where they left off.
The Blue Devils played aggressively on defense during the first half, but committed several key fouls. D’angelo Speech, Devan Bailey and Shemik Thompson all picked up three fouls a piece in the first half, causing them all to play more cautiously on defense. While the Blue Devils led by as many as 13 in the half, the lead began to dwindle in the closing minutes. LIU, led by David Hicks, was able to trim the lead to six before the end of the half.
“Robby and Ken had good shots early, but LIU began focusing on them more in the second half,” said Dickeman.
Though LIU seemed to be creeping back in the game at the start of the second half, CCSU maintained its lead for the majority of the half. Every time LIU would get to close Horton would knock down another three to keep CCSU up. His four second half three pointers were the reason CCSU maintained the lead for so long.
The focus of the second half for LIU was preventing Ptacek from scoring. LIU switched to a zone defense and smothered him, hardly allowing him to breathe. Before long, LIU did the same to Horton, and CCSU’s lead vanished. Foul trouble once again plagued the Blue Devils in the second half, as LIU was sent to the line 14 times, which helped chip away at the lead.
“They played zone and concentrated on Ken and Robby,” said Dickenman. “We need to play better defense to overcome that, but then we got in foul trouble.”
Though CCSU’s offense sputtered in the second half, the team kept the game close and had chances to tie in the final seconds. Down three, the Blue Devils were looking for a three to tie, but turned the ball over. CCSU fouled instantly and sent LIU’s C.J. Garner to the line for a one and one. He missed the shot and Horton grabbed the rebound, but CCSU was unable to sink the three to tie the game. The Blue Devils were forced to foul again, but this time Garner made both shots and put the game out of reach for CCSU.
“The first time we got caught windshield wiping and they anticipated where the pass was going and got it,” said Dickenman. “We still could have won, but the next shot didn’t fall. It was a disappointing loss, but we’re not discouraged at all. We’ll be back.”
The Blue Devils are on the road for the next three games, and will return home on Jan. 22 when Fairleigh Dickinson comes to New Britain.