Box Score
WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Freshman Justin Exum recorded a team-high 17 points on a Saturday afternoon, as the Chargers garnered their first Northeast-10 Conference triumph with a 64-55 victory over Pace University at Charger Gymnasium. UNH knocked down 13 from behind the arc and connected on 73 percent of its free-throws en route to the big win at home.
With the win, the Chargers improved to 2-5 overall on the season and 1-4 in league competition. They also handed Pace just its third setback of the season, leaving the Setters at 6-3 and 2-3 in the conference.
The opening 20 minutes of play featured a quick start from the hosting Chargers, as they captured a 10-4 lead 4:56 into the game. Pace battled back with a 5-0 run, but UNH used the three-point line to regain their advantage. The Chargers opened up a seven point lead behind three, three-point baskets from freshman Ashanti DePass. In the closing seconds, Krystian Foriest granted the Chargers their largest lead with a short jumper, as New Haven carried a 34-26 advantage at halftime.
DePass led all scorers at the break with 12 points, knocking down 3-of-4 from behind the arc and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. Justin Exum chimed in with six points and six boards, while Jeffery Adkins added five points in the stanza.
After the intermission, Exum paced the offense for the home team, as the Chargers sustained their eight point lead all the way until the 7:21 mark. Exum connected on two threes, a short jumper and a tip in, keeping UNH in front. Jeremy Williams also completed a three-point play during the stretch.
Pace chipped away over the next three minutes, cutting its deficit to just four points. However, clutch three-pointers from Mike Stys and Williams put the Chargers back in front by eight, 57-49, with 4:34 left in the game. The Setters followed with a free-throw and a lay-up, but once again the three-point line came to the Chargers rescue. Exum buried a deep three from the right side, putting UNH up by eight with 2:20 remaining in regulation.
In last minute of play, missed shots by the Setters’ offense and a pair of free-throws from Shaw Ustunel solidified the first win at Charger Gymnasium for New Haven.
Exum was stellar in the second half, pouring in 11 of his team-high 17 points. He finished 5-of-10 from behind the arc and completed the double-double with a game-high 16 rebounds. Williams also broke out for a strong game offensively, tossing in 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, coupled with six boards and two assists. DePass finished with 12 points, all in the first half, while Stys poured in seven in the triumph.
The Chargers finished 13-of-26 from downtown and collected a season-high 17 assists. Defensively, they held the Setters to 33 percent shooting and forced 10 turnovers in the game.
Adrian Mills led the way for Pace, registering a game-high 19 points, including 10 free-throws, and four rebounds in the losing effort.
The Chargers return to action on Tuesday, December 7 when they travel to Adelphi University. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. in Garden City, N.Y. Live statistics, live audio and live video will be available at www.NewHavenChargers.com.
