On Saturday, the New Haven Chargers defeated the American International College (AIC) Yellow Jackets in a thrilling 72-69 victory. The matchup was a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final minutes.
The game began with both teams exchanging leads early. American International came out strong, with Jack Hall leading the charge. Hall had a standout performance, with27 points, including four three-pointers, and kept the Yellow Jackets in the hunt throughout the game. Justice Ellison also contributed significantly and finished the game with 22 points. Despite AIC’s efforts, New Haven quickly found its rhythm on offense. Jah’Likai King led the way for the Chargers and scored 21 points, while Ethan Simmon had 20 points. King and Simmon’s combined efforts were crucial, particularly their shooting from beyond the arc. New Haven shot 5-of-11 from three-point range in the first half, helping them maintain a slight edge over their opponents.
At halftime, New Haven led by a narrow 44-43 margin. Both teams shot well in the first half, with New Haven’s offense clicking more efficiently from the field. American International had a slight advantage in free-throw shooting, making 6-of-6 from the line, but New Haven kept up with solid shooting and consistent play from their key players.
The second half proved to be just as competitive. American International briefly took the lead in the opening minutes, but the Chargers responded with strong play from King and Simmon. Despite a solid performance from Ellison, who added five rebounds and kept the Yellow Jackets within reach, AICl struggled to regain control of the game. New Haven capitalized on the opportunities it had as King made key field goals down the stretch to help the Chargers maintain their lead. The Chargers’ success also came from their ability to convert from the free-throw line, where they shot 10-of-11 in the second half.
Despite shooting 46.3% in the second half, American International was unable to capitalize on its offensive rebounds. The Yellow Jackets collected 27 total rebounds but managed just two second-chance points. With the game winding down, New Haven held a slim lead and was able to secure the win. The Chargers’ balanced scoring and free-throw shooting were enough to see them through to the victory.
With this win, the Chargers record advances to 11-12 (7-9 NE10) in hopes to push for a postseason berth. The Chargers will face Pace University on Tuesday at Goldstein Fitness Center. For more information about future matchups, you can check out at NewHavenChargers.com.
