WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Behind a career-high 24 points from sophomore Levy Gillespie (Meriden, Conn./Capital Preparatory Magnet), the University of New Haven men's basketball team dropped a 79-73 decision to the visiting East Stroudsburg Warriors in the final non-conference game of the season for the Chargers. New Haven falls to 4-7 overall and will return to Northeast-10 Conference play on Saturday, January 2 when they travel to American International.
Joining Gillespie in leading the Chargers was sophomore Tommy Hunt (Smithfield, R.I./St. Andrew's) and senior Joshua Guddemi (Nottingham, England/Derby) who finished with 17 and 11 points, respectively. The 24 points for Gillespie was his second 20 point game of the season after previously setting a career high with 22 at Georgian Court. It is also his fourth straight game in double figures, while Hunt has now scored in double figures in three straight games.
As a team, New Haven finished the game shooting 44.4 percent from the field on 24-of-54, while making 10 three pointers in 20 attempts for 50 percent. The Chargers also finished 15-of-24 at the free throw line. Leading the way individually was Gillespie who made 10 field goals in 20 attempts for a 50 percent effort. Included in his 10 field goals were four from beyond the arc, where he matched Hunt's efforts as four of his five total field goals came from outside.
New Haven also trailed the battle of the boards by a 44-28 margin with Guddemi leading the individual efforts with eight boards, his second straight game leading the team on the boards. Overall, all nine players who saw time against the Warriors finished with at least one rebound, while all but one finished with at least three points. All but nine of nine of the 73 Chargers points came from the starting five.
In addition to leading the team in scoring, Gillespie also led the way with three assists and was tied with senior Samir McDaniels (Roxbury, Mass./New Mission) in leading the Charge with a pair of steals each.
The Chargers and Yellow Jackets will tip off the New Year as the second half of a doubleheader with the women's team. Tipoff in the men's game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Betuva Gym.
