This past week, the women’s basketball team finished 0-2 in their first week as a Division I program.
In the season opener, the Chargers faced the Xavier University Musketeers. Xavier took an early lead over New Haven and went into halftime with a 15-point advantage. After a strong offensive performance in the second half, the Chargers came within seven of the Musketeers, but could not mount the comeback and fell short, 53-46.
Forward Aniya McDonald-Perry led the Chargers with a double-double and finished the game with 13 points and rebounds after shooting 6-for-13 from the field. Guard Schuyler Coles was close behind with nine points after finishing 3-for-8 from the field, 2-for-2 at the free throw line and 1-for-4 from the three-point arc. Coles added two rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Five other Chargers were able to put points on the board. Guard Lindsay Hogan and forward Addisen Sulikowski both scored six points. Hogan tallied five rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal, while Sulikowski had six rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals. Guard Renelle Grannum and center Merit Innocent each had five points. Grannum added seven rebounds and four assists. Guard Katelyn Simpson had two points and one assist.
The Chargers finished the game shooting 33.3% from the field, compared to the Musketeers’ 34.6%. New Haven finished 6-for-25 from the three-point arc and 4-for-6 from the free-throw line.
As a team, the Chargers tallied 39 rebounds, 14 assists, 12 steals and two blocks. New Haven committed 21 fouls and finished with 27 turnovers.
After the loss, the Chargers hosted the Iona University Gaels for the first home game of the season but again fell short, 57-45.
The Gaels’ offense applied early pressure and took a seven point lead over the Chargers in the first quarter. New Haven’s offense slowly chipped away at the deficit but entered halftime down by five points. The Chargers struggled offensively in the second half and were only able to put up 19 points between the third and fourth quarter.
Coles led New Haven with 10 points after shooting 4-for-10 from the field 2-for-5 in three-point shots. Coles added two rebounds and assists. Sulikowski was close behind with nine points, six rebounds and an assist. Hogan and Innocent both put eight points on the board for the Chargers. Hogan shot 2-for-2 from the free-throw line and had four rebounds, an assist and a steal. Innocent finished 4-for-4 from the field with five rebounds.
McDonald-Perry finished the game with four points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Simpson, guard Eveani Okwuosa and guard Teaira Kelley each scored two points.
The team averaged 36% shooting accuracy from the field and 23.1% from behind the three-point arc. New Haven totaled 35 rebounds, 13 assists and three steals. The Chargers tallied 17 turnovers and 15 personal fouls.
The Chargers now have an overall record of 0-2. New Haven will be back in action Wednesday when they host the Purchase College Panthers. Tip-off is 6 p.m. in The Hazell Center and can be streamed on NEC Front Row. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
