NEW YORK (AP) -David Simmons scored 11 points and had a career-high 14 rebounds for his fifth career double-double to lead Central Connecticut State to a 63-50 victory over St. Francis (N.Y.) in the Northeast Conference opener on Thursday night.
Shemik Thompson scored 17 points to lead the Blue Devils (2-3), who have won nine straight against the Terriers (1-5).
Central Connecticut State went 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the final 1:30 after building a second half lead.
The Blue Devils scored the first seven points of the second half and held St. Francis scoreless for the first 5:40. Central Connecticut State's Joe Efese and Ross Pentland scored on consecutive layups for a 40-29 lead with 10:48 left in the game.
Efese scored 12 points and Joe Seymore added 10 points for the Blue Devils.
Ricky Cadell led St. Francis with 19 points and Akeem Bennett added 10 points.
