WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven women’s basketball team fell 88-68 Saturday afternoon to nationally ranked No. 6
Bentley University. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 2-15 overall and 2-11 in the Northeast-10 Conference. The Falcons improved to 16-2 on the season and 12-1 in conference play.
The Falcons jumped out to an early lead with the first seven points on Saturday. Lauren Battista scored five of the seven as Bentley led 7-0 just over 2:30 into the first half. Ashley LeBlanc (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) put in a layup to break the Falcons run, but six more unanswered points gave the nationally ranked Falcons a 13-2 lead with 16:10 left in the first half. Bentley steadily improved its lead over the next five minutes and took a 27-10 lead off a Katherin Goodwin three-pointer at the 11:20 mark. LaBlanc capped a 7-0 run for the Chargers to cut the lead back to 10, 27-17. The Falcons responded and when on an 11-2 run to take a 19-point lead just three minutes later. The teams continued to exchange runs throughout the first half before Anh-Dao Tran (Webster, Mass./Holy Name) hit a runner in the lane to give UNH a 13-point halftime deficit, 52-39.
The second half was more of the same as Bentley and UNH exchanged rallies. The Falcons opened the first five minutes and took a commanding 68-43 lead with 15:16 left in regulation. Elizabeth Cruso (Westerly, R.I./Westerly) hit a pair of free throws at the 10:24 to cut the Bentley lead to 17 points, 69-52. Another 10-0 run for the Falcons and they took a 27-point lead at the 8:09 mark. In the closing minuted New Haven would cut the Falcons’ lead to 20 behind a pair of Monica Schacker (Doylestown, Pa./Germantown Academy) free throws inside of 20-seconds.
New Haven struggled controlling the ball with 29 turnovers in the game, and Bentley took advantage with 41 points off turnovers. UNH shot 39-percent from the floor, but held a 41-35 advantage on the boards. The Falcons also scored fastbreak points in the win.
Nikita Reddy (Germantown, Md./Germantown) led the Chargers with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Ashley LeBlanc (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) added 14 points and seven boards. Bria Moore (West Haven, Conn./Hill Regional Career) scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds.
New Haven returns to action on Wednesday, January 25 when it hosts Saint Anselm College at Charger Gymnasium. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. For complete coverage, stay posted to www.NewHavenChargers.com.
