Central Connecticut beats Hartford 75-60 behind Nehls

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) Austin Nehls made four 3-pointers and scored 18 points, Khalen Cumberlander added 14 points and Central Connecticut pulled away early from Hartford to win 75-60 in Friday night's opener for both teams.

Mustafa Jones and Tidell Pierre each scored 12 points and Pierre's team-leading nine rebounds helped CCSU outrebound Hartford 47-33.

Cumberlander's early 3-pointer put the Blue Devils up 10-7 on their way to a 36-26 halftime lead and they never trailed. Eric Bowles had eight of the 24 assists the Blue Devils used in making 30 of 64 attempts from the field (47 percent). Tafari Whittingham had four blocks.

Jalen Ross made three 3-pointers and scored 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and Jason Dunne added 13 points for the Hawks, who shot 41 percent from the field (25 of 61) and 5 of 15 from the free-throw line.