For Immediate Release: November 28, 2005
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

BU men's basketball falls to Central Connecticut State 69-66 in closing minute
Hailey nets season-high 20 points to lead four players in double figures

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y. - In a see-saw game that featured 15 ties and 12 lead changes, visiting Central Connecticut State (2-2) held off Binghamton (0-4) 69-66 in a men's college basketball game Monday night at the Events Center.

The Blue Devils banked in a three-pointer to break a 62-all tie with 1:17 left and sank four free throws (4-of-4) in the final 12 seconds to seal the victory.

"I thought we did some nice things but it wasn't enough," head coach Al Walker said. "I take my hat of to Central Connecticut."

Sophomore guard Tristan Blackwood hit 8-of-11 shots, including 4-of-6 from three-point range to lead CCSU with 20 points. Junior forward Javier Mojica added 18 points for the Blue Devils, who shot 52% for the game.

Junior guard Troy Hailey (Hyattsville, Md.) scored 20 points to lead four BU players in double digits. Hailey drained his first five shots and scored 10 of Binghamton's first 14 points to open the game. But CCSU closed out the first half with a 15-3 run to build a 31-23 lead. Binghamton battled back to take its final lead, 54-51, with 6:42 left, but CCSU responded with back-to-back three-pointers to reestablish its lead.

Senior guard Andre Heard (Oklahoma City, Okla.) shook off a slow start to net 13 points. Binghamton's leading scorer misfired on his first five shots before scoring all 13 points in the second stanza. Senior forward Sebastian Hermenier (Rockville, Md.) picked up 17 points and six rebounds and sophomore center Jordan Fithian (McPherson, Kan.) scored a career-high 11 points with five rebounds. Sophomore guard Mike Gordon (Plainfield, N.J.) chipped in five assists, five rebounds and four steals.

Binghamton shot 50% in the second half after hitting only 32% in the first half.

Binghamton next plays Thursday night at Hofstra. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. from Long Island.