Markeys Deans scored 17 points and three others reached double figures as Central Connecticut State defeated Long Island U. 74-65 on Thursday night.
Robby Ptacek and Joe Efese each scored 12 points, and Shemik Thompson added 11 for the Blue Devils (11-17, 8-9 Northeast Conference), who have won two games in a row.
The Blue Devils made 8 of 11 free throw attempts in the final 3:33 to put the game out of reach. With the game tied 56-56, Thompson capped a 14-4 run with two free throws to give the Blue Devils a 70-60 lead with 58 seconds to play.
Central shot 44.6 percent from the field (29 of 65) while the Blackbirds made only 34.3 percent (23 of 67).
Jaytornah Wisseh scored 22 points and David Hicks added 10 for the Blackbirds (12-16, 10-7). Jamal Olasewere contributed with 12 rebounds. the loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Blackbirds.
