WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Senior Dominique Stellmacher finished with 19 points on Saturday afternoon, but the University of New Haven women’s basketball team dropped a 58-47 decision at UNH’s annual ‘Pink Zone’ game at Charger Gymnasium.
Stellmacher propelled the Chargers to a lightning fast start, collecting the first 10 points of the game for the home team. After a deep three-pointer from Audrey Cunningham, UNH led 13-10 with 14:19 remaining in the first half.
However, Le Moyne mustered a 23-10 rally to close the opening stanza, taking a 36-23 lead at halftime. The Dolphins forced 11 turnovers by the Chargers offense and held them to just 26.9 percent shooting from the floor. Stellmacher carried the load statistically for the Chargers with 11 points and four rebounds in the frame. Courtney Coryea and Emily Bayly led Le Moyne with 12 and 10 points respectively at the break.
UNH came out of the locker room with vengeance, fighting to cut into their double-digit deficit. The Chargers managed to reduce the Dolphin lead to nine points at the 13:18 mark, but failed to keep it close. Le Moyne bounced back with an 11-2 run, capturing its largest lead of the game at 18 points.
The Chargers boasted off another mini-run and cut Le Moyne’s advantage to just eight with a minute to go, but the surge was too late for UNH. The Dolphins made their free-throws down the stretch and finalized a 58-47 victory.
Shooting woes plagued the Chargers in the end, as UNH compiled a dismal 30 percent from the field. In addition, Le Moyne controlled the glass with a 44-34 advantage and connected on seven from long distance.
Outside of Stellmacher’s 19 points, sophomore Olivia DeMarco also fared well with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Cunningham added five points, Lauren Boivin collected four and Ayana Duncanson and Ana Obella each had three.
With the loss, New Haven fell to 2-21 overall and 1-18 in the Northeast-10 Conference. UNH returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, February 16 with a game on the road at Saint Rose. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Albany, N.Y.
