OAKDALE, N.Y. – The University of New Haven women's basketball team saw three players score in double figures as the Chargers picked up the first win for head coach LaTonya Watson, defeating the Dowling Golden Lions 69-55 in a non-conference contest on Sunday afternoon.
 
With the win, New Haven is 1-1. Dowling falls to 0-1.
 
Briana Bradford (Waterbury, Conn./Holy Cross) led the way for the Chargers with 22 points. Lauren Hebert (North Reading, Mass./North Reading) had 12 while India Dotson (Akron, Ohio/Frederick (Md.) / Monmouth University) tied a career-high with 10 points. Hebert, Dotson and Katia Oge (New City, N.Y./Immaculate Heart Academy) tied for the team high in rebounds with nine each.  Quana Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Harry S. Truman) and Alexandria Kerr (Montclair, N.J./Montclair) had eight points each. For Smith, the tally set a career-high.
 
New Haven got off to a hot start, opening a 13-3 lead in the first five minutes of the game, capped by a Kerr three-pointer, eventually ending the first quarter with a 20-12 lead. Defense was also a key for the Chargers in the opening frame, forcing nine Dowling turnovers in the first 10 minutes, leading to eight points for the Blue and Gold.
 
After extending the lead to 37-24 at halftime, the Chargers pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Golden Lions 20-10, taking a 57-34 lead into the final period. Hebert and Dotson propelled the offense, combining for 10 points and seven rebounds in the stanza.
 
For the game, New Haven outrebounded Dowling 50-37 and forced 20 turnovers, 12 coming on steals.
 
The Chargers are in action next on Wednesday, Nov. 18 when they begin Northeast-10 Conference play at Le Moyne. Tipoff from Ted Grant Court in Syracuse, N.Y. is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.