GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - Aquillin Hayes (Harlem, N.Y./Wings Academy) recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the nationally-ranked No. 23 University of New Haven women's basketball team to a 69-59 victory over Franklin Pierce in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball East Region Championship. Senior Ashley LeBlanc (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) added 15 points and five rebounds as the Chargers advanced to their first region championship final since 1989 and the fourth in program history.

New Haven last advanced the sweet 16 in 1989, the final of three consecutive trips to the regional final. The Chargers won back-to-back regional championships in 1987 and 1988.

The Chargers improve to 25-5 with the win, while the Ravens conclude their season at 19-11.

Hayes went 6-of-14 from the field and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe for her 18 points. The senior grabbed nine defensive and three offensive boards in her 12th double-double of the season. She added three assists, two steals and a block while never leaving the floor. LeBlanc went 2-for-4 from the field, but capitalized at the foul line, making 11-of-12 attempts. She also grabbed five rebounds, an assist and a block. Rykema Stone (Bronx, N.Y./Wings Academy) was the final Charger in double figures with 10 points and eight rebounds. Elizabeth Cruso (Westerly, R.I./Westerly) finished with nine points and Bria Moore (West Haven, Conn./Hill Regional Career) netted eight.

The Chargers took care of the ball in the win, turning the ball over a season-low eight times. The Chargers trailed 40-39 in rebounds and 37.5 percent to 38.3 percent in field goal shooting. New Haven went 0-for-5 from three-point range, but made the difference at the foul line making 27-of-31 attempts.

New Haven struggled in the first half and fell behind after the first eight minutes. Franklin Pierce went on a 6-0 run and led 21-13 at the 9:24 mark. The Ravens held the lead for the remainder of the first half and led 31-29 at halftime.

The Chargers used halftime adjustments to swing momentum in their favor in the second half. UNH scored the first basket of the stanza and the game was still tied at 35-35 five minutes in. A pair of LeBlanc free throws at the 12:02 mark put UNH ahead 43-38, but Franklin Pierce answered with a 4-0 run. After surrendering the lead for a minute, New Haven would take the lead for good on a LeBlanc jumper with 7:25 left. The basket was part of a 14-2 run for the Chargers who opened a 61-49 lead with 2:53 remaining. New Haven converted free throws in the final minutes as Franklin Pierce attempted to chip away at the lead to secure the victory.

New Haven advances to the NCAA Division II East Region Championship final on Monday, March 16 against the winner of the other second round game between No. 13 Stonehill and Holy Family.