Central Connecticut State snapped a two-game losing streak by outlasting Dartmouth in a gritty overtime thriller, securing a 78-71 victory on Sunday in Hanover, New Hampshire. The Blue Devils (1-2) survived a late surge from the Big Green, who held a lead entering the final minute of regulation, before Victor Payne and James Jones took control in the extra period. The decisive moment came when Payne drained a go-ahead three-pointer, allowing Central Connecticut to maintain a lead for the final 1:46 of overtime and seal the upset.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
Payne was the offensive engine for the visitors, finishing with 17 points on efficient 6-of-9 shooting, including a blistering 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. James Jones provided the necessary interior presence with 15 points and a game-high seven rebounds, while Ashton Reynolds contributed 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. For Dartmouth (2-1), Cameron McNamee led all scorers with 20 points and six rebounds, supported by Anton Strelnikov’s 15 points and Cam Hiatt’s nine.
The game’s trajectory shifted in the final minute of regulation when Raphel Laurent hit a layup with 42 seconds remaining to tie the score at 66, forcing the contest into overtime. That equalizer set the stage for Payne’s decisive performance in the extra period. The win marks a crucial momentum shift for Central Connecticut as they look to stabilize their early-season record, while Dartmouth must regroup after dropping a lead they held late in the fourth quarter.
Source: Yahoo Sports
