NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) -Marcus Palmer had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Central Connecticut to a 59-55 victory over in-state rival Quinnipiac on Saturday.
Ken Horton and Robby Ptacek had 10 each for the Blue Devils (9-10, 5-4 NEC) while James Johnson led Quinnipiac (8-11, 4-5) with 17.
Justin Rutty added 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Bobcats.
Central led 40-39 with just over six minutes left, but used an 10-0 run to ice the game.
After Johnson hit a three to cut the Bobcats' deficit to one, Ptacek countered with a three of his own. He then scored on a fast break set up by Palmer to push the lead to six.
With about five minutes left, Palmer stole the ball and lobbed it to Shemik Thompson, who hit Dave Simmons for a basket. Simmons was fouled on the play and hit the free throw, and Central led 48-39 with 4:59 to go.
James Feldeine scored five for Quinnipiac as it cut the margin to 52-48, but Central held on down the stretch.
