On Thursday, the New Haven Chargers secured a thrilling 79-68 victory over the Bloomfield College Bears. The game marked a crucial cross-conference matchup between the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) and the Northeast-10 (NE10), with the Chargers improving to 12-13 overall and 7-10 in NE10 play. Bloomfield dropped to 13-11 and a 6-7 CACC record.
Early in the game, forward Zamorian Singleton scored a jumper and layup which put Bloomfield at a 5-0 advantage. However, New Haven answered back with a series of three-pointers from guard Mohamed Traore and forward Ethan Simmon.
The first half saw a back-and-forth battle, as both teams traded scoring runs. Bloomfield’s Olamide Adewale kept his team close, hitting a three-pointer and adding free throws. Meanwhile, New Haven’s offense was dominant as George Najimi contributed multiple layups and a three-pointer. Simmon’s shooting from beyond the arc kept the Chargers’ offense balanced, and they managed to close the half with a 40-33 advantage. Despite Bloomfield’s effort, New Haven’s defense and timely shooting allowed them to hold onto the lead.
In the second half, New Haven turned up the intensity. Their defense, highlighted by key steals and fast-break opportunities, allowed them to extend their lead. A steal by Jah’Likai King led to an easy layup, sparking a momentum shift in favor of the Chargers. Simmon and Najimi led the charge as Simmon contributed 18 points and five assists, showcasing his ability to score both inside and beyond the arc. Najimi added 15 points which showed his strength in the paint.
Despite trailing for most of the second half, Bloomfield refused to back down. Singleton finished with 16 points and kept the Bears competitive with his ability to drive to the basket and hit mid-range jumpers. Adewale had 13 points, but Bloomfield struggled to find consistent scoring in the second half, largely due to New Haven’s defensive pressure and transition play.
With the Chargers holding a double-digit lead for most of the second half, Bloomfield made one last push. With just under two minutes remaining, the Bears cut the lead to five points. However, New Haven’s composure in the final moments sealed the victory. King and Simmon each hit critical baskets down the stretch to prevent Bloomfield’s comeback.
Simmon’s 18 points and five assists, along with Najimi’s 15 points and strong presence in the paint, were key to New Haven’s success. King also contributed with his defensive plays and fast-break points. On Bloomfield’s side, Singleton and Adewale provided most of the scoring, but the Bears’ inability to generate consistent offense in the second half led to their downfall.
After the win over the Bears, the Chargers will face Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in a highly anticipated rivalry game on Feb. 19. The matchup will take place at Charger Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m.For more information about the New Haven Chargers and their upcoming games, be sure to visit https://newhavenchargers.com/index.aspx.
