NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Kyle Vinales scored 29 points and went 14-of-16 from the penalty line in helping Central Connecticut defeat New Jersey Institute of Technology 74-71 on Tuesday night, giving the Blue Devils their first win of the season.
Vinales led the Blue Devils (1-4) in scoring, averaging 22.7 points going in. His many trips to the free throw line in the final minutes helped to ice the win. Malcolm McMillan added 16 points for Connecticut.
NJIT (4-3) got to within five points at 53-48 before Vinales added a layup and two free throws, extending the Blue Devils lead with three minutes to go. The Highlanders refused to go away and made clutch shots and some impressive defensive plays, but gave Central Connecticut 20 free throw opportunities in the last 20 minutes_an advantage they could not overcome.
Damon Lynn scored 18 and Ky Howard 17 points for the Highlanders.
