BOX SCORE Box Score

WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven women’s basketball team led at halftime but couldn’t hang on as a second half surge from Saint Michael’s handed the Chargers a 57-49 loss on Wednesday night at Charger Gymnasium. With the result, the Chargers descended to 2-14 on the season and 1-11 in the Northeast-10 Conference. The Purple Knights moved to two games over the .500 mark at 8-6, 6-5 in the league.

The Chargers used a balanced offensive attack in this one, receiving points from seven different players. Lauren Boivin led the way with nine points, Dominique Stellmacher, Ayana Duncanson and Audrey Cunningham each chimed in with eight, Olivia DeMarco poured in seven and Anh-Dao Tran finished with six points.

The match-up featured very similar statistics from both teams except for one. The Purple Knights controlled a 44-34 edge on the boards, 15 coming on the offensive end. On the offensive side of the ball, both teams struggled to find a rhythm, as each team compiled a shooting percentage in the low 30’s, coupled with 25 (SMC) and 23 (UNH) turnovers.

The first half of action featured a stalemate for the opening 12 minutes of play. However, with New Haven trailing 15-14, Anh-Dao Tran sparked a 13-0 run with a deep three-pointer from the wing. The Purple Knights scored the last five points of the half, leaving a 27-20 halftime lead for the home team. Ayana Duncanson paced the Chargers offense in the opening stanza with six points, while Tran and Cunningham each poured in five points.

For much of the second half the Chargers seemed to have control of the game. New Haven extended its halftime lead to 12 points just minutes into the stanza and maintained a seven point advantage through the midway point.

However, over the next six minutes of action, Saint Michael’s put together a 14-0 run to erase its deficit and garner a lead of its own. With a seven point lead, the Purple Knights ticked crucial seconds off the clock and made clutch free-throws down the stretch. As the final whistle sounded, Saint Michael’s pushed its winning streak to four games dating back to the first week in January.

Marilyn Ferreira and Caitlin Quinn led the Purple Knights with 12 points apiece and Logan Pintka also finished with double-figures with 10 points.

The Chargers return to the hardwood on Saturday, January 22 with a conference showdown at Saint Anselm College. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.