Stonehill Skyhawks Edge Blue Devils in Close Contest
Monday, January 26, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Merkert Gymnasium
Stonehill Skyhawks 61, Central Connecticut Blue Devils 59, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Central Connecticut Blue Devils vs Stonehill Skyhawks?
Stonehill Skyhawks beat Central Connecticut Blue Devils 61-59 at Merkert Gymnasium on January 26, 2026.
Who was favored in Central Connecticut Blue Devils vs Stonehill Skyhawks?
Central Connecticut Blue Devils were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -125 (about 56% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Stonehill Skyhawks emerged victorious against the Central Connecticut Blue Devils with a final score of 61-59. The game, held at Merkert Gymnasium, showcased the Skyhawks' resilience as they snapped a two-game losing streak and improved their home record to 3-2 in their last five games.
Both teams entered the game with a mix of recent performances. The Skyhawks, with a season record of 7-14, had struggled in their last ten games, posting a record of 4-6. They averaged 67.1 points scored while allowing 67.0 points per game during this stretch. In contrast, the Blue Devils, standing at 10-9 for the season, had a slightly better record of 5-5 in their last ten games, averaging 73.0 points scored and allowing 74.2 points per game. Both teams were looking to regain momentum after suffering losses in their most recent outings.
The Skyhawks had a challenging start to the season, but their recent form showed signs of improvement, particularly at home. They had won two of their last five games at Merkert Gymnasium, with notable victories against Mercyhurst Lakers and Chicago State Cougars. However, they were coming off a loss to Long Island University Sharks, which added pressure to perform in front of their home crowd.
On the other hand, the Blue Devils were also seeking to bounce back after two consecutive losses, including a defeat against Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. Their away record stood at 3-3, with their last five games yielding a record of 3-2. The Blue Devils had previously defeated the Skyhawks just a few weeks prior, on January 9, with a score of 76-69, which added an extra layer of intensity to this rematch.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Skyhawks had not fared well against the Blue Devils, losing all three encounters in the previous two seasons. Their most recent meeting had seen the Blue Devils dominate the Skyhawks, making this victory particularly sweet for Stonehill.
The game featured several key scoring plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats. In the second half, Jay Rodgers made a driving layup to put the Blue Devils ahead 56-52, but the Skyhawks responded with a series of crucial baskets, including a 24-foot three-point jumper from Rodgers that briefly gave the Blue Devils a 59-56 lead. However, the Skyhawks rallied back, with Ridvan Tutic making a layup to regain the lead at 60-59, followed by a free throw from Trenton Ruth to seal the game at 61-59.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had favored the Blue Devils with a spread of 1.5 points, indicating a close contest was expected. The total points line was set at 135.5, reflecting the anticipated scoring output from both teams. This game certainly lived up to the expectations of being a nail-biter, with both teams displaying determination and skill throughout.
As for player performances, the Skyhawks showed depth and resilience, particularly in the second half, where they managed to outscore the Blue Devils in a critical stretch. The injury picture did not significantly impact the game, as both teams fielded their key players, allowing for a competitive matchup.
Overall, this game was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams in the NCAAB landscape. The Skyhawks' victory not only provided a much-needed boost to their season but also showcased their ability to compete against a team that had previously bested them. Fans can look forward to seeing how both teams respond in their upcoming fixtures, as they continue to navigate the challenges of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CCSU -1.5 | 135.5 o -112 / u -108 | Central Connecticut Blue Devils -125 · Stonehill Skyhawks +105 |
Leaders
- PointsRidvan Tutic12Stonehill Skyhawks
- AssistsRex Sunderland4Stonehill Skyhawks
- ReboundsRidvan Tutic7Stonehill Skyhawks
- PointsDarin Smith Jr.12Central Connecticut Blue Devils
- AssistsJay Rodgers2Central Connecticut Blue Devils
- ReboundsMax Frazier9Central Connecticut Blue Devils
Recent form
Stonehill Skyhawks
Last 10: 4-6Streak L267.1 scored · 67 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L63-66vs Long Island University SharksJan 24
- L61-63at Saint Francis Red WolvesJan 19
- W62-57at Mercyhurst LakersJan 17
- W85-82vs Chicago State CougarsJan 10
- L69-76at Central Connecticut Blue DevilsJan 9
- W69-60at Wagner SeahawksJan 4
- L55-70vs New Haven ChargersJan 3
- L48-77at Syracuse OrangeDec 23
- L58-59at New Hampshire WildcatsDec 17
- W101-60vs Vermont State Johnson BadgersDec 13
Central Connecticut Blue Devils
Last 10: 5-5Streak L273 scored · 74.2 allowed per game3-3 away
- L66-76vs Fairleigh Dickinson KnightsJan 24
- L61-79at Mercyhurst LakersJan 19
- W98-90at Saint Francis Red WolvesJan 17
- W69-59at Le Moyne DolphinsJan 10
- W76-69vs Stonehill SkyhawksJan 9
- W72-61vs New Haven ChargersJan 4
- L78-84at Long Island University SharksJan 3
- L70-84vs Fairfield StagsDec 19
- W84-67at Binghamton BearcatsDec 13
- L56-73at Northeastern HuskiesDec 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island University | 24-11 | - | 15-3 |
| Central Connecticut | 18-12 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Mercyhurst | 17-17 | 5 | 10-8 |
| Le Moyne | 15-17 | 5 | 10-8 |
| New Haven | 14-17 | 6 | 9-9 |
| Wagner | 14-17 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Stonehill | 12-21 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | 11-21 | 7 | 8-10 |
| Saint Francis | 7-24 | 10 | 5-13 |
| Chicago State | 7-25 | 10 | 5-13 |
Box score
| Stat | Central Connecticut Blue Devils | Stonehill Skyhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-55 | 21-52 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 40 |
| Three-pointers | 5-11 | 3-22 |
| Three-point % | 45 | 14 |
| Free throws | 2-4 | 16-24 |
| Free throw % | 50 | 67 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 5 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 24 |
| Assists | 8 | 11 |
| Steals | 7 | 9 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 0 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 34 |
| Fouls | 18 | 11 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 2 |
| Lead changes | 10 | 10 |
| Time in front | 79 | 8 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half28-24Melo Sanchez makes 17-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half30-24Daniel James makes layup
- 2nd Half30-27Rex Sunderland makes 23-foot three point jumper (Davante Hackett assists)
- 2nd Half30-28Davante Hackett makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half30-30Rex Sunderland makes layup
- 2nd Half32-30Jay Rodgers makes 21-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half32-32Trenton Ruth makes driving layup
- 2nd Half32-33Trenton Ruth makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half34-33Nico Ashley makes layup (Elijah Parker assists)
- 2nd Half34-36Trenton Ruth makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half36-36Darin Smith Jr. makes layup (Max Frazier assists)
- 2nd Half38-36Darin Smith Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half38-37Davante Hackett makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-37Nico Ashley makes 11-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half40-38Ridvan Tutic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-39Ridvan Tutic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-39Max Frazier makes layup
- 2nd Half42-41Ridvan Tutic makes layup (Hermann Koffi assists)
- 2nd Half42-42Ethan Meuser makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-43Ethan Meuser makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-43Melo Sanchez makes 11-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half46-43Max Frazier makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half46-44Davante Hackett makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-45Davante Hackett makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-45Melo Sanchez makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half51-45Max Frazier makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Jay Rodgers assists)
- 2nd Half52-45Darin Smith Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-46Ridvan Tutic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-48Chas Stinson makes layup (Trenton Ruth assists)
- 2nd Half52-50Ridvan Tutic makes layup (Chas Stinson assists)
- 2nd Half54-50Jay Rodgers makes 18-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half54-52Davante Hackett makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-52Jay Rodgers makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-54Hermann Koffi makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-56Davante Hackett makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half59-56Jay Rodgers makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half59-57Chas Stinson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-58Chas Stinson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-60Ridvan Tutic makes layup (Rex Sunderland assists)
- 2nd Half59-61Trenton Ruth makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Stonehill Skyhawks, below favours Central Connecticut Blue Devils.
Venue
- Merkert GymnasiumSouth Easton, MA
- Attendance328
- OfficialsTom Deneen, Ryan Corbett, Josh Burton
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- Blue Devils Defeat Skyhawks in Close ContestJan 8, 2026