BOX SCORE Box Score

WEST HAVEN, CONN. – The University of New Haven women’s basketball team was defeated by Stonehill College on Sunday afternoon, as the Chargers dropped a 73-53 decision at Charger Gymnasium. Dominique Stellmacher, in her first game back after missing several games due to an injury, recorded a team-high 14 points in the losing effort.

With the loss, UNH fell to 2-13 overall on the season and 1-10 in the Northeast-10 Conference. Stonehill collected its 10th win of the season and moved to 4-6 in league competition.

The first half featured a solid offensive start from both teams, leading to a 12-12 score seven minutes into the contest. Audrey Cunningham, Anh-Dao Tran, Ayana Duncanson and Nicole Pollard each knocked down shots early on keeping pace with Stonehill’s high-powered offense. However, over the next five minutes of action, the Skyhawks put together a 15-0 run to take a 27-12 lead. Stonehill sent nine three-point shots through the basket in the opening stanza en route to a commanding 43-19 lead at the break.

Priscilla Dodoo and Kristen McWhirter carried the load offensively for the visitors, combining for 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Cunningham fared well for the Chargers with eight points, as Tran added four points, four rebounds and an assist.

After the intermission, a rejuvenated Chargers line-up fought frantically to cut into their deficit. Stellmacher was the answer early on as the senior guard poured in eight of the team’s first 10 points of the half. Despite the burst of offense, the Skyhawks were always quick to answer, disallowing the Chargers to sneak back into the game.

However, the Chargers held the Skyhawks to zero three-pointers and defeated Stonehill by four points in the second stanza. UNH also shot 44 percent from the floor and cut its turnovers in half.

Stellmacher finished with 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting in her first game back. Cunningham tossed in double-digits as well with 10 points and Olive DeMarco added eight, also returning from an injury. Pollard and Tran registered six points on the afternoon.

McWhirter led all scorers with 24 points, going 9-of-16 from the floor and pulling down five rebounds. Dodoo finished with 13 points, all coming in the first half of play.

The Chargers return to the hardwood on Wednesday, January 19 with a home game against Saint Michael’s College. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.