BOX SCORE SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The University of New Haven women's basketball team trimmed an 18-point second-half deficit down to just two points on Tuesday at American International, but the host Yellow Jackets pulled away late to claim a 64-55 decision.
 
The setback is the first blemish on the Chargers' schedule; New Haven moves to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in Northeast-10 play. American International improves to 3-1 with a 1-1 conference mark.
 
Bria Moore (West Haven, Conn./Hill Regional Career) led the Chargers with 19 points, including four three-pointers, and Audrey Cunningham (Germantown, Md./Seneca Valley) added 11 off the bench. Aquillin Hayes (Harlem, N.Y./Wings Academy) filled out the statsheet with seven points, 11 rebounds and five assists. As a unit, the Chargers shot 18-for-51 (35.3 percent) from the floor, 9-for-15 (60 percent) from three-point range and 10-for-22 (45.5 percent) from the free throw line.
 
Elizabeth Cruso (Westerly, R.I./Westerly) notched eight points, and Ayana Duncanson (Elmont, N.Y./Francis Lewis) pulled down seven rebounds. New Haven was edged on the boards, 36-34, and committed 17 turnovers to the host's 13.
 
Krista Ferrentino netted a game-high 25 points for American International, and Sydney Tepley neared a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. The Yellow Jackets shot 24-for-61 (39.3 percent) from the field, 4-for-11 (36.4 percent) from distance and 12-for-17 (70.6 percent) at the stripe.
 
All of the game's six ties and seven lead changes came in the first half. Moore scored seven points before the intermission, and Cunningham added five as the Chargers went into the locker room trailing, 24-23.
 
The Yellow Jackets controlled the start of the second half, jumping out to a 50-32 lead with 8:41 to go. At that point, a Cruso three-pointer started the Chargers on an 18-2 run over the ensuing 5:47 to cut the deficit to two points at 52-50 with 2:54 to play. Moore scored six points during the run that brought the Chargers back to within one possession.  However, American International would tally the next six points and drained four of its final five free throws to hold off the Blue and Gold and claim a 64-55 decision.
 
Moore scored 12 second-half points, and all of Cruso's eight tallies came in the final 20 minutes of action.
 
Up next, the Chargers make their longest road trip since 2009 to play two games at the Rollins Thanksgiving Tournament in Winter Park, Fla. New Haven is slated for its first-ever encounter with Davis & Elkins on Friday followed by a meeting with either Stillman or the host Tars on Saturday.