Cent. Conn. takes 19-game streak into tournament

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- Damian Battles tied his career high with 27 points to lead Central Connecticut to a 78-71 win over Quinnipiac in the Northeast Conference championship game Wednesday night.

Central Connecticut (27-4, 20-1 NEC) will enter the NCAA tournament next week with a 19-game winning streak, the best in the nation.

John Alexander scored 14 points and Ron Robinson added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils, who made the tournament for the second time in three years.

Quinnipiac (14-16, 10-11 NEC) shot 56.7 percent for the game.

Jeremy Bishop, the nation's leading rebounder, added 14 points and 12 boards in a losing cause.

MORE BASKETBALL, Page 4