The Chargers hosted the American International College Yellow Jackets on Saturday and attempted to get back in the win column while honoring the team’s seniors. Unable to keep up offensively and stage a comeback, the Chargers lost the game 60-50.
Prior to tipoff, New Haven honored their senior Chargers with a ceremony. New Haven’s women’s basketball class of 2024 includes Gabrielle Stickle, Becca Townes, Marigona Bacaliu, Makaela Johnson and Aurora Deshaies.
Despite their second consecutive loss, coach Debbie Buff said she was proud of the team and the foundation that the senior players have created.
“They’ve been with me for a long time, and they’ve really helped establish our culture,” said Buff. “Halfway through the season, they were helping on the bench more, but they did everything I could ask for. It was a good game that we could actually get them in today, and I’m really proud.”
For a time, it looked as if the Chargers would deliver a win. The team entered the second half tied with the Yellow Jackets, 27-27. But New Haven was unable to keep up with American International’s persistent offense in the second half, and only tallied 23 points.
Forward Deshaies led the offense for New Haven with 12 points and finished the game shooting 6-for-15 from the field. Deshaies tallied 12 rebounds, along with an assist and a block. Deshaies also earned her 1,000th career rebound. After the game, Deshaies said, “I want to thank my teammates and my coach for pushing me to my limits and making me work hard, as well as my family for pushing me and making me stay for my last year.”
Following Deshaies was guard Charlotte Bassett with nine points, who finished the game shooting 3-for-8 from the field. In addition, Bassett had five rebounds, five assists and a steal. Forward Johnson had seven points, five assists and three rebounds.
Behind the team’s leading scorers, six other Chargers were able to put up points. Forward Bianca Pendleton finished the game shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and added an assist. Closely behind, guard Stickle scored five points and shot 2-for-6 from the field while adding six rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Guards Nayeli Dowding and Sabira Ahayeva also gained points for the Chargers. Dowding put up four points and Ahayeva tallied three while also adding a rebound and an assist. Guards Becca Townes and Marigona Bacaliu both added two points for the Chargers. Townes also had an assist and a steal.
Against American International’s 40.8% shooting from the field, New Haven finished with a shooting percentage of just 35.6%. Struggling from behind the arc, the Chargers shot 2-for-20 and finished 21-for-59 from the field.
Besides falling behind offensively, New Haven also tallied 18 personal fouls throughout the game, resulting in the Yellow Jackets shooting 14-for-20 from the free throw line. The Chargers went 6-for-7 from the free throw line themselves.
After a tough loss to American International, the Chargers have an overall record of 7-16 and are 3-16 in the Northeast-10 Conference. New Haven will travel to Manchester, N.H. on Wednesday to face the Saint Anselm Hawks. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. in the Stoutenburgh Gymnasium. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
