LE MOYNE (10-14, 5-5) vs. Central Connecticut State University (15-9, 9-2)
Thursday, Feb. 15 - 7:00 p.m.
Ted Grant Court - Syracuse, N.Y.
Video: NEC Front Row
Radio: FOX Sports 92.5 FM/1490 AM
Live Stats: https://lemoynedolphins.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
 
Syracuse, N.Y. - The Le Moyne men's basketball team looks to complete the season sweep when NEC co-leaders Central Connecticut State visit Ted Grant Court on Thursday night. Le Moyne surprised CCSU during the two's first matchup, winning 75-73 on January 19 thanks to a final-second basket from graduate student Nate McClure.
 
Central Connecticut State has dominated the Northeast Conference in 2023-24. The Blue Devils have just two losses in the NEC. CCSU won its first three conference contests before falling to Le Moyne in mid-January. The Blue Devils then won four straight leading up to their second loss to Merrimack on February 3. Since the defeat, CCSU has knocked off Sacred Heart and FDU to get to 9-2 in the NEC.
 
The Blue Devils were hot entering NEC play in January. CCSU won three of its final four non-conference games before starting its Northeast Conference schedule. Before that stretch, Central Connecticut State had won just three of its first nine matchups.
 
In conference, CCSU is averaging a little over 72 points per contest. The Blue Devils usually play in close games, though. Eight of their last nine NEC matchups have been decided by single digits.
 
Graduate forward Allan Jeanne-Rose leads Central Connecticut State on offense. He's one of three players to start every contest for the Blue Devils this season. Jeanne-Rose averages over 15 points on 55.4% from the field. He also tops the team in minutes, is second in rebounds, and averages 1.75 assists per game. In the first matchup between the Blue Devils and Dolphins, Jeanne-Rose was held to just seven points.
 
Senior guard Jordan Jones is another option for CCSU. He ranks second on the team with 13.5 points per game. Jones is effective from beyond the arc, knocking down 36.4% of threes. He also leads the Blue Devils with 3.5 assists and two steals per contest. Jones led all scorers with 22 points during the first clash between Central Connecticut State and Le Moyne.
 
Senior Kellen Amos rounds out the Blue Devils scoring in double figures. He puts up just under 12 points a game but shoots only 38.8% from the field. Amos tops CCSU on the boards, averaging 5.5 rebounds. He had 13 points in the first meeting between the two and went 0-6 from three.

Central Connecticut State leads the Northeast Conference in scoring margin, averaging 6.4 more points than opponents. The Blue Devils also head the NEC in field goal percentage, are second in rebounds, and rank third in team defense.
 
Le Moyne enters Thursday's contest after a 66-50 loss to Merrimack College, which is tied atop the NEC with CCSU. The Dolphins scored their least points of the season and the lowest since December 31, 2022.
 
Freshman guard AJ Dancler was the only Le Moyne player to score 10+ points against Merrimack. He ended with 14 points, a career-high. Dancler shot over 50% from the field and hit two three-pointers. He added two rebounds and an assist in the loss.
 
Despite struggling offensively and playing just 21 minutes, graduate guard Kaiyem Cleary grabbed nine rebounds on Saturday. The total fell just two short of his season-high, which came against Sacred Heart on January 15. Cleary leads the Dolphins averaging 15.7 points and 5.8 rebounds.
 
Le Moyne shot just 38% in its most recent loss. The Dolphins defended well on the perimeter, though, limiting Merrimack to just 26.1% from beyond the arc.
 
The Dolphins' matchup with the Blue Devils is their first of two consecutive home games. Le Moyne hosts Stonehill College on Saturday to celebrate its 75th season of men's basketball. The Dolphins won the first matchup between the two by 31 points.