Box Score

(01-30-10) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven men's basketball team fell 80-70 Saturday afternoon to the Merrimack College Warriors at Charger Gymnasium. With the loss, UNH falls to 2-17 overall and 2-13 in the Northeast-10 Conferece, while Merrimack improves to 14-4 overall and 12-3 in conference play.

The Warriors jumped on the Chargers early, opening up a seven-point lead in the first ten minutes of the game, 14-7. The Chargers' first-half rallies often fell short. The Warriors' lead swelled to as many as 10 with 6:44 left in the half. New Haven kept within striking distance by cutting the lead to two possessions multiple times in closing minutes of the half. Freshman C.J. Ruskay led the team with 14 first-half points on 4-of-4 from three-point range and 5-of-7 from the field. Merrimack was able to withstand the New Haven rushes and held a halftime lead of 39-32.

The Chargers fought back and tied the game at 50-50 with 13:29 left in the second half. New Haven was unable to take the lead once they tied the game. After another tie at 52-52 the Chargers were unable to get any closer than three-point for the remainder of the game. Over the next 13 minutes, Merrimack outscored the Chargers 30-20. The Warriors were paced by Darren Duncan and Ronald Davis, who both scored over 20 points. Seventeen of Duncan's 23 points came in the second half when Merrimack was keeping the Chargers at bay and under control.  

The Chargers we lead by C.J. Ruskay with 19 points on 7-9 shooting from the floor. Cassius Chaney and Robert Jamerson also were in double figures with 16 and 17 points, respectively. Jamerson added 12 rebounds and Kelvin Jackson pulled down 10 boards.

New Haven will be back in action on Wednesday, February 3 when they host American International College. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Charger Gymnasium.