NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) -Shemik Thompson scored 21 points and Central Connecticut defeated St. Francis (N.Y.) 68-56 in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday.
Joseph Efese added 13 points and Joe Seymore 12 for the Blue Devils (12-17, 9-9 Northeast Conference), who won their third straight to clinch a spot in the conference tournament that starts March 3.
Central Connecticut State shot 38.5 percent from the field (20-for-52) and hit 82.8 percent from the free throw line (24-for-29). The Terriers had 17 turnovers.
St. Francis (11-18, 8-10) built its lead to 39-29 early in the second half. The Blue Devils used a 14-3 run to lead 43-42 on Markeys Deans' free throw with 10:21 left.
St. Francis regained its lead at 50-45. But Central Connecticut State answered on a 15-1 run, capped by Thompson's free throws with 47 seconds left.
Stefan Perunicic scored 17 points for the Terriers.
