Brooks scores 48 points to lead Western to dramatic win

DANBURY -- Senior DaQuan Brooks scored a career-high 48 points to lead the Western Connecticut State men's basketball team to a come from behind 82-81 win in overtime over Little East Conference rival Eastern Connecticut Tuesday before a capacity crowd at Feldman Arena.

Senior Mark Redding also contributed eight points and nine rebounds on the night for Western.

In overtime, Brooks drove toward the basket and dished the ball to senior Gary Robinson for the winning layup as time expired.

Western improves to (18-4, 8-3) and moves into a tie with Eastern (17-5, 8-3) for second place in the conference, The Colonials return to action on Saturday when they host Little East Conference rival Keene State at 3 p.m.

EASTERN CONNECTICUT (17-5, 8-3 LEC)

Jamie Kohn 8-12 0-1 18; Nick Nedwick 8-19 0-0 17; Chris Robitaille 6-8 4-8 16; Chae Philips 5-7 2-7 14; Hamilton Levy 5-12 0-1 12; Brian Salzillo 1-4 1-2 4; Brandon Yarborough 0-0 0-0 0; Tyler Hundley 0-0 0-0 0; Brandon Jones 0-0 0; Joe Ives 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 33-64 7-19 81.

WESTERN CONNECTICUT (18-4, 8-3 LEC)

DaQuan Brooks 13-28 17-22 48; Mark Redding 3-5 2-2 8; Michael Jensen 2-5 0-0 6; Gary Robinson 2-6 0-0 5; Ryan Pelletier 2-4 0-0 5; Luis Bridtter 2-3 0-2 4; Michael Kennedy 2-6 0-0 4; Shawn Mobilio 0-0 2-2 2; James Barnes 0-2 0-0 0; Robert Bentil 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 26-60 21-28 82.

Eastern 41 31 9 -- 81

Western 35 37 10 -- 82

3-point goals--Eastern Connecticut 8-15 (Jamie Kohn 2-3; Chae Philips 2-2; Hamilton Levy 2-2; Brian Salzillo 1-3; Nick Nedwick 1-5), Western Connecticut 9-25 (DaQuan Brooks 5-13; Michael Jensen 2-5; Gary Robinson 1-4; Ryan Pelletier 1-3). Fouled out--Eastern Connecticut-Hamilton Levy; Nick Nedwick, Western Connecticut-None. Rebounds--Eastern Connecticut 36 (Chris Robitaille 9), Western Connecticut 40 (Mark Redding 9). Assists--Eastern Connecticut 18 (Nick Nedwick 5), Western Connecticut 14 (DaQuan Brooks 4). Total fouls--Eastern Connecticut 25, Western Connecticut 21. Technical fouls--Eastern Connecticut-None, Western Connecticut-None. A-1027

women's basketball

DANBURY -- Sophomore Sciarra Brandt recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Western to a 66-53 victory over Eastern..

Also scoring in double figures for Western was Little East Conference Rookie of the Week Caroline Brasa with 19 points. For Eastern (6-16, 2-9) freshman Shannon McCourt of New Fairfield led the offensive attack with 17 points.

Western (14-8, 6-5) returns to action on Saturday when they host Little East Conference rival Keene State at 1 p.m.

EASTERN CONNECTICUT (6-16, 2-9 LEC)

Shannon McCourt 6-17 5-7 17; Kristina Forsman 3-12 6-6 12; Jaymie Sommers 5-11 0-0 10; Taylor McBride 4-14 0-0 8; Danyelle Rodriguez 2-11 1-2 6; Haley Roberts 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-65 12-15 53.

WESTERN CONNECTICUT (14-8, 6-5 LEC)

Caroline Brasa 7-11 2-2 19; Sciarra Brandt 6-13 3-4 16; Nicole Eanniello 3-3 2-2 9; Chelsea Mone 4-9 0-0 8; Carly Murphy 2-7 2-3 6; Melissa DiNino 1-3 2-3 4; Stephanie Slonski 1-2 0-0 2; Amber Litwinko 1-4 0-0 2; Taylor Nkonoki 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-53 11-14 66.

Eastern Connecticut 24 29 -- 53

Western Connecticut 28 38 -- 66

3-point goals--Eastern Connecticut 1-6 (Danyelle Rodriguez 1-6), Western Connecticut 5-11 (Caroline Brasa 3-4; Nicole Eanniello 1-1; Sciarra Brandt 1-1; Amber Litwinko 0-1; Taylor Nkonoki 0-1; Carly Murphy 0-2; Chelsea Mone 0-1). Fouled out--Eastern Connecticut-None, Western Connecticut-None. Rebounds--Eastern Connecticut 34 (Jaymie Sommers 9), Western Connecticut 42 (Sciarra Brandt 10). Assists--Eastern Connecticut 8 (Taylor McBride 4), Western Connecticut 21 (Stephanie Slonski 6). Total fouls--Eastern Connecticut 10, Western Connecticut 11. Technical fouls--Eastern Connecticut-None, Western Connecticut-None. A-333