NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth affair that required an extra period to decide a winner, the Central Connecticut Blue Devils outlasted the Sacred Heart Pioneers 108-106 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday night at a raucous William H. Detrick Gymnasium.

A crowd of 2,067 witnessed an offensive showcase that saw 11 ties and 18 lead changes, with neither team able to secure a decisive advantage until the final seconds of overtime. The victory improved Central Connecticut’s record to 4-2, while Sacred Heart fell to 2-4.

The game was ultimately decided by a perfectly executed play in the waning moments. With the score knotted at 106 and just two seconds remaining in the extra session, Central Connecticut’s Jay Rodgers found a cutting Max Frazier for a game-winning dunk, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and capping a thrilling contest.

Darin Smith Jr. was the catalyst for the Blue Devils, delivering a monumental performance. The 6-foot-7 sophomore from Springfield, Massachusetts, poured in a game-high 38 points, showcasing his efficiency by shooting 12-of-19 from the field and adding four assists. His ability to draw fouls was also crucial, as he went 11-for-13 from the free throw line.

Smith’s efforts were complemented by a dominant inside presence from Max Frazier. The 6-foot-9 forward from Pittsboro, North Carolina, scored 24 points, including the final two baskets of the game, and was a defensive force with four blocks. Melo Sanchez, a 6-foot-4 guard from San Diego, provided 17 points and three assists, while Rodgers orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 10 assists to go with his seven points.

Sacred Heart’s effort was led by a herculean performance from Anquan Hill. The 6-foot-9 forward from Philadelphia matched Smith’s intensity, scoring 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting. He was nearly perfect from the charity stripe, converting 11 of 12 attempts. Hill’s frontcourt partner, Yann Farell, added 20 points, connecting on four three-pointers.

The backcourt duo of Dashon Gittens and Fallou Gueye also provided significant firepower for the Pioneers. Gittens, a Hartford native, logged 40 minutes and scored 22 points, while Gueye contributed 11 points off the bench.

The game was a tale of contrasting strengths. Central Connecticut’s victory was built on phenomenal two-point shooting, as they connected on 38 of their 62 attempts from the floor for a blistering 61.3 percent. They also capitalized on their opportunities at the free throw line, making 25 of 33 attempts.

Sacred Heart countered with a potent three-point attack, hitting 13 of 30 from beyond the arc, and were nearly flawless from the free throw line, making 25 of 26. However, the Pioneers were hampered by 12 turnovers and a relative lack of ball movement, registering only six assists as a team.

The first half was a shootout, with Central Connecticut taking a narrow 54-51 lead into the break behind Smith’s 20 points. The Blue Devils maintained a slim advantage for much of the second half, but Sacred Heart’s persistent outside shooting and clutch free throws kept them within striking distance.

The Pioneers finally clawed back to tie the game in the final minute of regulation, forcing overtime on a three-pointer from Anquan Hill with 24 seconds left.

The extra period featured six more lead changes. Hill hit another three to tie the game at 106 with under 30 seconds to play, setting the stage for Frazier’s game-winning dunk on the ensuing possession.

The game was a significant bounce-back for Central Connecticut, which was coming off a tough road loss to Massachusetts. Sacred Heart, which had won its previous game against Holy Cross, will look to regroup after the heartbreaking defeat.