NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) -Central Connecticut's Dave Simmons tied his career high with 16 points, but the Blue Devils' inability to score late helped Monmouth earn a 75-67 victory Thursday night.
Will Campbell and Travis Taylor led Monmouth (8-22, 6-11 Northeast Conference) with 20 points each. The Hawks stayed alive in the race for the last NEC Tournament berth, while Central (13-15, 8-9 Northeast Conference) lost any hope it had of finishing in the top four and getting a home game in the first round.
Trailing by seven midway through the second half, the Hawks came right back behind Campbell and Nick Deltufo, who sparked a 14-7 Hawks' surge capped by an Alex Nunner three that tied things at 60 with 4:57 left.
Nunner's three with 2:18 left gave the Hawks their first lead of the night, 68-67. Central committed a pair of big turnovers late.
