Sims posted his second double-double of the season to help lead the Skyhawks this afternoon (PHOTO BY Mary Gettens)

Chargers more balanced in picking up NE10 win behind 52% shooting

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (January 15, 2022) – The University of New Haven, ranked No. 6 in this week's D2SIDA East Region poll, used balanced and more efficient shooting to secure a 74-70 victory over Stonehill College, ranked No. 5 in the D2SIDA poll, in a Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball matchup at Charger Gymnasium this afternoon. 

Leaders

Stonehill
Andrew Sims Senior, Forward: Second double-double of season, 21 points (8-for-17), 10 rebounds, 2 steals.
Owen Chose Fifth-year, Guard: 23 points (9-for-17, 4-for-8 threes), including 18 in the second half, 2 rebounds, 2 assists. 

New Haven
Tavin Pierre Philippe Sophomore, Guard: 22 points (7-for-10, 3-for-5 threes), 2 assists.
Davontrey Thomas Junior, Forward: 18 points (7-for-11, 3-for-5 threes), 6 rebounds.
Derrick Rowland Postgrad, Guard: 11 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, steal. 

How it Happened

• Chose posted his third 20-point game over the last four with his sixth-straight double-figure scoring game (PHOTO BY Mary Gettens)

  Stonehill jumped out quick, scoring the first eight points of the contest, including five from Chose who opened the game with a three-pointer before Sims added a triple of his own, less than three minutes in.
• New Haven answered with the next eight to pull even after back-to-back Rowland three-pointers and the game was on.
• New Haven grabbed a seven-point lead (24-17) with 8:32 to play in the first half when Thomas capped a string of five straight points with a three-pointer.
• The first half of runs continued with nine straight from Stonehill to reclaim the lead (26-24) after a Sims layup with 4:41 remaining in the half.
• New Haven followed by reclaiming a five-point lead (33-28) as senior Victor Olawoye capped a 9-2 run with two free-throws with 1:56 left.
• Stonehill trimmed the lead to a point (33-32) at the half and took the lead (35-34) after a three-pointer from senior Jack Schwietz 22-seconds into the second half.
• New Haven answered with a nine-point run, led by five from Rowland, to grab an eight-point lead (43-35) after a Rowland jumper less than three minutes into the half.
• Stonehill pulled even (50-50) at the midway point of the second after five straight points by Chose but was unable to reclaim the lead, as Pierre Philippe pushed New Haven back in front with two free-throws at the other end.
• Leading by two (58-56) with eight minutes to play, New Haven stretched out a game-high ten-point advantage (68-58) after a Pierre Philippe three-pointer with 3:49 to go that capped a 10-2 Chargers run.
• Stonehill didn't go down quietly, pulling back within a pair (72-70) with 32-seconds on the clock after five straight points from Chose, including a three-pointer.
• The Skyhawks earned two chances to take the lead or force overtime after New Haven missed the front end of a one-and-one, but was unable to connect and senior Antonio Lopez finally sealed it for the Chargers with two free-throws with two seconds left.

Noteworthy

• Chose scored in double figures for the sixth-straight game with his third 20-point game over the last four (14^th career), posting his ninth double-digit scoring output of the season (56^th career).
• Sims second double-double of the season (sixth career) marks his ninth double-figure scoring game (21 career) and second double-digit rebounding effort (seven career) as he matched his season-high rebounding total and netted 20-plus points for the third time this season (fifth career).
• Chose and Sims combined for 63-percent of the Skyhawks offense on the day, shooting a combined 17-for-34 (50%) from the floor, compared to 9-for-32 (26.5%) for the rest of the team as they finished shooting 39.4% (26-66) from the field as a team.
• Stonehill pulled down 15 offensive rebounds, compared to one for New Haven, posting a 14-3 advantage in second chance points.
• The teams combined for just 16 turnovers, but Stonehill registered a 14-4 edge in points off.
• New Haven connected on 56% (14-of-25) of its shots in the second half to finish at 52% (26-50) from the floor, overall, including 10-for-20 (50%) from beyond the arc.

Up Next

Stonehill (9-6, 5-4 NE10) is back in action on Wednesday, when it visits Pace University, ranked No. 8 in the D2SIDA East poll, at 7:30 p.m. The Skyhawks return to Merkert Gym next Saturday, January 22, to host Southern Connecticut State University at 3:30 p.m. New Haven (9-5, 5-4 NE10) hosts Adelphi University on Monday at 3 p.m.

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