The New Haven men’s basketball team got back in the win column on Saturday afternoon in a big conference matchup with American International College (AIC), coming away with a 62-54 win. With a current record of 14-7 and five games left in the regular season, the Chargers are in a great position to make noise in the playoffs and make a deep run.

Prior to the game, ceremonies were held for Senior Day, honoring the team’s seven seniors: Adriel Gill, Andre Francis, Kendall McMillan, Majur Majak, Ty Perry, Victor Olawoye and Quashawn Lane. Each player was recognized for their contributions to the program and was given a nice ovation from the crowd for everything they’ve done.

New Haven got off to a slow start on offense, turning the ball over six times and failing to register a basket in the first 4:22 of the game. Lane got the Chargers on the board with two free throws to tie the game at two before Jack Hall knocked down a three-pointer to put AIC ahead by three.

New Haven answered right back with a three by guard Justin Hendrick to tie the game again, but Hall knocked down another three and followed with a layup to make it a five-point game. Majak registered his first points of the night with a layup, and added another with a big dunk to bring the Chargers within one.

After a jumper by Jalen Jordan, Hendrick knocked down another three to tie the game at 12. New Haven took back the lead on a jumper by forward Davontrey Thomas, and they continued to add on with a layup from Lane and a three from forward Sean Braithwaite.

Jordan knocked down a jumper to make it a five-point game, but Olawoye built the lead back up with a three for his first score of the game. With five minutes left in the half, AIC answered right back with a three from Justice Ellison and a layup from Aguibou Balde to cut the deficit to two.

Olawoye responded with two big shots, with one coming from behind the arc, to put New Haven ahead by six. Hall continued his strong performance from three, and Kanye Wavezwa added a buzzer-beater to cut the deficit to two and send New Haven into halftime with a 29-27 lead.

Majak opened the scoring in the second half with another dunk, followed by two free throws from Olawoye to stretch the lead back to six. New Haven started to take a commanding lead halfway through the second half after two jumpers from Lane and free throws from Olawoye and Majak. Thomas added two threes to give the Chargers a comfortable 14-point lead with 5:07 left to play.

Lane and Braithwaite both sank two free throws with a minute to play to seal the game for the Chargers, who came away with a big 62-54 win. The team will look to build on their win on Tuesday night when they take on Saint Michael’s College in a crucial conference matchup. More information can be found at NewHavenChargers.com.