SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Freshman Justin Exum registered a game-high 35 points on Sunday evening, but the University of New Haven men’s basketball team dropped a Northeast-10 Conference match-up to Le Moyne College by the final score of 74-70 at Ted Grant Court. With the loss, UNH descended to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in conference play, while the Dolphins improved to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in the league.
The Chargers captured an early 9-4 advantage in this one, as Exum drained a pair of three-point baskets just four minutes into the contest. New Haven sustained the lead until the midway mark, when the Dolphins rallied off eight straight points to take their first advantage of the game. The two teams closed out the half exchanging buckets, eventually resulting in a 38-35 lead for the home team at halftime.
Exum was tremendous in the opening stanza, connecting on 7-of-10 from behind the arc for a half-high 21 points. Robert Jamerson registered eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and grabbed two rebounds for the Chargers.
After the break, Le Moyne strung a few baskets together, opening up a 12 point lead after an 18-9 run. However, Krystian Foriest sparked an 8-0 surge for the Chargers with a jump shot and a lay-up, cutting their deficit to just four points with 8:12 left in regulation. After a Dolphin timeout, Exum made his ninth three-pointer of the evening, followed by an emphatic dunk by Jamerson, granting UNH a 57-56 lead.
The Dolphins went on a 14-11 run over the next four minutes of play, leaving a 70-68 advantage for the home team. Exum added two more from behind the arc, while Foriest also drained one from downtown during the stretch.
However, the Chargers failed to make a field goal over the final 1:50, as the Dolphins made four free-throws in the closing minutes. Jamerson hit two free-throws with three seconds left but New Haven could not overcome the deficit.
Exum led all scorers with 35 points on 11-of-16 shooting from behind the arc, grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists. Jamerson added 17 points and seven rebounds while Foriest chimed in with seven points and one block.
The Chargers return to action on Wednesday, December 1 when they play host to the College of Saint Rose. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. at Charger Gymnasium. Live statistics and live audio will be available at www.NewHavenChargers.com.
