NEW YORK (AP) -- Travis Nichols and Akeem Johnson scored 16 points each to lead St. Francis (N.Y.) over Central Connecticut State 73-67 on Thursday night.

Nichols scored 14 of his points in the first half as the Terriers (12-10, 9-2 Northeast Conference) shot 56.7 percent (17 of 30) to take a 43-23 halftime lead.

St. Francis trailed 8-4 early before going on a 16-4 run to lead for good, 20-12, on Brent Jones' layup with 9:11 left in the first half. The Terriers scored eight points off four turnovers during the spurt. They finished with 16 points off 11 turnovers.

The Blue Devils (10-11, 7-4) pulled within three, 65-62, with 4:45 left. After St. Francis' Akeem Johnson hit a layup with 2:41 remaining, the Terriers went 6 of 6 from the free-throw line the rest of the way.

Robby Ptacek led CCSU with 22 points and Kyle Vinales added 18.

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