Box Score

WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Freshman guard Justin Exum pumped in a game-high 24 points on Tuesday evening, as the University of New Haven men’s basketball team cruised past Assumption College by the final score of 79-54 at Charger Gymnasium.

With the win, UNH improved to 6-16 on the season and 4-14 in the Northeast-10 Conference, also keeping its playoff hopes alive. The Greyhounds dropped to 11-13, 8-10 in the league.

Exum completed the double-double with 10 boards to go along with his 24 points. He went 7-of-12 from the floor and was just four assists shy of a triple-double. Robert Jamerson finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, making 82 percent of his shots. Mike Stys also added a career-high 17 points in the triumph.

Propelled by a fast start from Exum, the Chargers captured an early lead and never looked back. With UNH in front 18-13 at the 10:40 mark, the freshman guard sparked a 14-1 run for the home team - granting the Chargers a double-digit 32-14 lead. New Haven fared well in the closing minutes and took a 35-21 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

Exum paced the offense in the opening stanza with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor. Jamerson collected nine points and five rebounds, as the Chargers shot a blistering 50 percent from the field. Defensively, UNH contained the Greyhounds, limiting them to just 26 percent shooting and forced 10 first half turnovers.

After the break, Assumption fought to cut into its deficit but couldn’t overcome a stifling Chargers defense. Stys extended the margin to 17 points after a bucket from long range at the 12:40 mark and Exum put the nail in the coffin with another deep dagger with seven minutes remaining. New Haven controlled the clock for the rest of the contest and disallowed the Greyhounds a chance make a run.

The Chargers made 11 three-pointers and connected on 51 percent of their shots in the game. UNH also worked harder on the boards and captured a 37-30 advantage on the glass. On the defensive end, UNH forced 20 turnovers in the game, including 14 steals.

Assumption was led by Cory Schmidt who finished with 13 points. Mike Baldarelli also added double-digits with 11 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds.

The Chargers return to the hardwood on Saturday, February 12 with a home game against Le Moyne College. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Charger Gymnasium.