This past weekend, the Chargers’ men’s and women’s basketball teams opened their 2024-2025 season.
On Friday, the women’s basketball team faced the Wilmington University Wildcats at the Goldey Beacom Tip-Off Invitational for the second year in a row and decidedly won, 83-57.
On Saturday, the men’s basketball team faced the Jefferson University Rams in the Jefferson Invitational. The Chargers fell short of a close game, 88-92.
With a strong start from the women’s team, the Wilmington Wildcats’ defense was unable to keep up with their offensive performance in the first half. New Haven made a bold start to their season as they entered half-time with a 25-point lead over Wilmington.
Guard Charlotte Bassett led the team with 20 points and went 9-for-13 in field shots. Bassett went 2-for-4 from behind the three-point arc and had six rebounds, four steals and an assist. Following Bassett was forward Bianca Pendleton with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists. In addition to adding 12 points for the Chargers, guard Nayeli Dowding had two rebounds and an assist.
Six other Chargers were able to put New Haven up on board. New faces to the blue and gold, center Paige Cote and guard Schuyler Coles had 10 and nine points, respectively. Guard Lindsay Hogan had seven points and forward Aniya McDonald-Perry was right behind with six points.
Freshman forward Kelis Simpson had three points after she shot 1-1 from the field and 1-2 in free throw attempts. Guard Sabira Ahayeva scored one point off a free throw shot and added 10 assists, eight steals and four rebounds for New Haven.
The Wildcats ended the game with 24 rebounds, nine assists and six steals. The Chargers countered with 36 rebounds, 26 assists and 20 steals.
The Chargers’ women’s basketball team also took on Goldey-Beacom College on Saturday, winning 54-46. The team now stands 2-0 overall to start their season. New Haven will be back on the court at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday to face the Franklin Pierce University Ravens as their first conference opponent.
At the Jefferson invitational, the men’s team and Jefferson Rams were neck-and-neck throughout the first half and New Haven entered halftime with a two point lead. Not until late in the second half did Jefferson find their breakthrough and find their first win of the season.
Guard Seth Sharif-Brown led the way for the Chargers with 27 points as he shot 10-for-15 from the field and 3-for-5 in three point attempts. Guard Jah’Likai King was right behind with 23 points, an assist and a rebound. Forward Ethan Simmon secured 12 points for the Chargers. Simmon also had four rebounds and two assists.
Four other Chargers put up points for New Haven. Forward Ugo Nwachukwu had ten points and shot 3-for-3 in free throw attempts. Guard Tristian Jeffries who secured nine points, six rebounds and a steal. Following behind was guard Javel Cherry had six points, three rebounds and a block. Forward Kyle Kearson put up one point for New Haven off a free throw shot and had a pair of rebounds along with a steal.
Jefferson finished the game with 35 rebounds and New Haven was right behind with 33 of their own. The Rams had 12 assists, nine steals, and five blocks. The Chargers finished with nine assists, six steals, and a pair of blocks. New Haven gave up 14 turnovers during the game.
The men’s team played Holy Family University on Sunday at the Jefferson Invitational, winning 56-55. They are now 1-1 overall to start their season. The Chargers will be back in action at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 as they face the Franklin Pierce University Ravens. Their first conference match of the season will be held at the Franklin Pierce Fieldhouse. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
