The men’s basketball team entered the week at 9–11, searching for momentum as conference play continued. By week’s end, the Chargers came away with a split, after they dropped a road matchup against the Mercyhurst University Lakers before responding with a strong offensive performance over the Saint Francis University (SFU) Friars.
New Haven opened the week with a 70–51 loss at Mercyhurst, a game that swung decisively during a difficult first half. The Chargers stayed competitive early, but Mercyhurst used timely three-point shooting to build separation midway through the period. A series of perimeter baskets pushed the lead into double figures, and Mercyhurst carried a 41-25 advantage into halftime, forcing the Chargers to play from behind the rest of the way.
Despite improved energy in the second half, New Haven was unable to mount a sustained comeback. Mercyhurst extended its lead to as many as 26 points, controlled the pace and limited the Charger’s ability to generate transition offense. While New Haven showed defensive effort and moments of ball movement, offensive consistency proved elusive, and they were unable to match Mercyhurst’s efficiency from the perimeter.
Two days later, New Haven showed resilience on the road with an 81-69 victory at Saint Francis. The Chargers held a narrow 41–37 lead at halftime in a tightly contested first half before creating separation midway through the second. A decisive 16-5 run allowed New Haven to stretch the lead into double digits, and the Chargers maintained control the rest of the way.
Senior guard Kheni Briggs delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, and finished with 29 points and five three-pointers. Briggs was impactful late in the game, as he scored 14 points in the final eight minutes where New Haven fended off the Friars’ runs. The Chargers shot an efficient 52.1% from the field and 50% from three-point range, a sharp contrast from earlier in the week.
Jabri Fitzpatrick added 19 points and provided consistent scoring throughout the game, while Andre Pasha contributed 14 points and steady ball handling. Najimi George recorded 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists, anchoring the interior and helping New Haven control key possessions. The Chargers also capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 21 of 27 attempts, which proved crucial in the closing minutes.
The men’s basketball team now has an overall record of 10-12 and 5-4 in conference play. The Chargers will take the road on Thursday to face the Long Island University (LIU) Sharks for a conference match-up. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. in Brooklyn, N.Y. and will be streamed on TV: NEC Front Row. For more information about the Chargers’ season, check out NewHavenChargers.com
