Feb. 18, 2006

Box Score

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) - Javier Mojica scored 16 points to lead Central Connecticut into a tie for second place in the Northeast Conference with a 73-56 victory over Sacred Heart on Saturday.

Tristan Blackwood and Justin Chiera had 14 apiece for the Blue Devils.

Central (14-10, 10-5 NEC) jumped in front with a 12-0 run over a stretch of 5:05 to take a 23-16 lead.

Sacred Heart (10-15, 7-9) scored two of the next three baskets, but CCSU then went on another tear, this time scoring seven straight points and 12 of the next 14 to open up a 37-22 lead.

Drew Shubik had 13 of his 16 points in the first half to keep the Pioneers in the game.

Luke Granato made two 3-pointers as Sacred Heart closed the gap to 47-41 with less than 11 minutes left in the game.

But Chiera buried a three and Obie Nwadike made a pair of free throws to build the lead back to 11 at 52-41.

Central's defense held Sacred Heart to a modest 44 percent from the floor and held Pioneer center Kibwe Trim, who came in averaging nearly 20 points a game this season to just eight points on three shots from the floor.