Chargers Fall at Home, Outlasted by Saint Rose, 65-50

WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven women’s basketball team dropped a Northeast-10 Conference match-up on Wednesday evening, as the Chargers were defeated by Saint Rose, 65-50, at Charger Gymnasium. The Golden Knights battled back from a five point deficit at halftime, holding UNH to just 18 points in the second half.

With the loss, the Chargers dropped to 2-3 on the season and 1-3 in conference competition. Saint Rose improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the NE-10.

The Chargers came out on fire in the opening stanza, generating a 13-5 run through the first 4:36 of play. Four members of the squad each knocked down shots, including two three-point buckets from Anh-Dao Tran. However, their eight point lead was short-lived as the Golden Knights bounced back with a 10-0 run over the next four minutes.

The teams exchanged baskets over the next few minutes, leaving the score all square at 19-19. New Haven’s offense came back to life and put together a 7-0 run behind Dominique Stellmacher and Yasmin Ithier-Vicenty. As the half came to a close, the Chargers sustained their advantage and controlled a 32-27 lead at the break.

Stellmacher led UNH on the offensive end with nine points on 4-of-11 shooting and pulled down a seven rebounds through the first 20 minutes. Ithier-Vicenty and Tran each added six points, leading a potent Charger attack that shot 39 percent from the floor and 44 percent from behind the arc.

Contrary to the first half however, Saint Rose had the better of the play early on in the second frame. Five minutes in the stanza, Ola Shajuyigbe tied the score up at 37-37 with a bucket underneath, that concluded a 10-5 run. Saint Rose continued is surge over the next several minutes, eventually opening up an eight point lead with 10:15 left in regulation.

The Chargers chipped away at their deficit, cutting the Golden Knights lead down to three points after a deep three-point shot from Stellmacher. Unfortunately, in the final six minutes of action, Saint Rose exploded on a 16-4 run, solidifying the comeback victory on the road.

Stellmacher finished the game with a double-double, recording team-highs in points (16) and rebounds (11). Tran added another solid outing with 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting from downtown, coupled with four rebounds and four assists. Ithier-Vicenty chimed in with 10 points and Jill Baranger scored six in the losing effort.

Saint Rose’s Shajuyigbe led all scorers, finishing 11-of-20 from the floor and 6-of-9 from behind the arc for 31 points. Ashley Rath and Ali Johnson also compiled double-figures, each adding 11 points in the triumph.

The Chargers return to action on Saturday, December 4 when they play host to Pace University. The game will tip off at 3:30 p.m. at Charger Gymnasium. Live statistics and live audio will be available at www.NewHavenChargers.com.