NEW BRITAIN, Conn. –  Ken Horton scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and had a critical steal to help Central Connecticut State hold off Sacred Heart 57-56 Thursday night, sweeping the season series.

After the Blue Devils' five-point lead with 3:44 left dwindled to one with 1:19 to go, Central Connecticut State's Robby Ptacek blocked a Shane Gibson jumper. The Pioneers rebounded, but Horton stole the ball with 45 seconds left.

A Ptacek foul gave possession back to Sacred Heart with 25 seconds to go, then Nick Greenbacker missed a 3-pointer before the buzzer.

The Blue Devils (18-8, 11-4 Northeast Conference), who won the previous matchup 88-75 on Jan. 13, shot only 27.6 percent in the first half (8 of 29) en route to a 24-23 halftime lead. They improved to 56.5 percent in the second (13 of 23).

Gibson scored 15 to lead the Pioneers (9-17, 4-11), who have lost five straight.