Cent. Connecticut St. 54, Monmouth, N.J. 50

Published Nov. 27, 2010 5:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

Joe Efese scored 15 points and Markeys Dean added 12, including the clinching three-point play in overtime, as Central Connecticut State edged Monmouth (N.J.) 54-50 on Saturday.

The Northeast Conference game was the earliest league matchup in the last 10 seasons.

The Blue Devils (4-1, 1-0), who bounced back from Monday's 77-61 loss at Penn State, never trailed in overtime.

Tied at 50, Shemik Thompson hit the first of two foul shots with 1:51 left. Dean's three-point play with 25 seconds to play was the only other scoring as the Hawks missed five 3-point attempts in the final 21 seconds.

Central Connecticut State led by nine in the second half, but Monmouth pulled ahead 45-41 with 50 seconds left in regulation. Vince Rosario's 3-pointer and an Efese free throw forced overtime.

Nick Deltufo led the Hawks (1-2, 0-1) with 12 points and Will Campbell had 10.