GAME DAY INFORMATION   DATE: January 18, 2020 LOCATION: Merkert Gymnasium | North Easton, Mass.   GAME DAY LINKS   LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

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THE FIRST LOOK
New Haven continues its cross-divisional play with another top team from the Northeast Division, Stonehill, on Saturday at Merkert Gymnasium. The Chargers look to remain unbeaten against the NE Division with wins over Saint Michael's and Bentley already among the tally.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• New Haven and Stonehill meet for the 31st time in the history of the two programs.
• Overall, the Chargers trail the Skyhawks 20-10 in the first 30 meetings, with the series dating back to the second season of basketball at New Haven, 1962-73. 
• Under 10th-year head coach Ted Hotaling, the Chargers are 5-5 against the conference foe.
• Last season, the Chargers forced overtime before running away in the extra frame of a 98-87 home win over the Skyhawks, the second win in the last three meetings and fifth over the last eight match-ups.

SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
The Chargers have relied on the returning experience of seniors Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School) and Kessly Felizor (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown) and redshirt junior Derrick Rowland (Cohoes, N.Y./Green Tech) who combined have provided over 64.7% of the overall scoring for the season. Leading the way is Bailey who is averaging 18.6 points per game and scored 20+ in five straight that spanned the end of November up to the holiday break, increasing his average in that stretch alone to 27.0 ppg. Included in that five-game stretch for Bailey was a season-high 31 points against Southern Connecticut. Felizor and Rowland are each contributing an average of 13.6 ppg. Over his last nine games along, Felizor has increased his scoring average to 16.2 ppg while just shy of averaging a double double pulling down 9.8 rpg in that stretch. Among those nine games for Felizor is a career-high 33 points at STAC. In addition to his 13.6 ppg average, Rowland leads the team with 73 assists including a career-high 10 against Holy Family. Rowland also set a career-high when he dropped in 32 points in the road loss at Adelphi which opened up the 2020 portion of the schedule. 

SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS
Despite being in the bottom three the NE10 in scoring offense, the Skyhawks enter the weekend tied for first place in the NE Division with a 6-2 conference record after knocking off Adelphi on Tuesday night. Overall for the season, Stonehill is led by senior guard Will Moreton who commands four of the five major stat categories for the Skyhawks. The Minneapolis native leads the way scoring 18.9 ppg and pulling down 86 rebounds per game, while he also tops the squad in total assists (44) and blocks (9). Following Moreton in leading the offense is his co-captain, senior guard Brandon Twitty who is averaging 13.8 ppg, while junior guard Owen Chase is on his heels at 13.7 ppg.

UP NEXT
New Haven will return to West Haven for its final home game in the month of January when they welcome the Saint Anselm Hawks to Charger Gym on Wednesday, January 22. Tip-off in the cross-divisional battle is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., following the women's game.

LAST TIME THEY MET
Kessly Felizor (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown) picked off a floor length pass and dished it off to Roy Kane, Jr. (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) who scored with four seconds remaining to force overtime as the men's basketball team pulled away in the extra frame for a 98-87 win over Stonehill. Leading the way for the Blue and Gold was Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School) who scored 28 points, his sixth game with 25+, closing out the contest shooing 9-of-20 from the floor, including a pair of three pointers, and adding a perfect 8-of-8 performance at the free throw line. Joining him with 20+ in the game was Kane who closed out the afternoon with a career-high 22 points, scoring on 8-of-13 field goal attempts, including two from long range, and adding 4-of-5 at the free throw line. Rounding out the leading scorers was Derrick Rowland (Cohoes, N.Y./Green Tech) with 17 points, Felizor with 15 points and Quashawn Lane (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Catholic Academy) who scored in double figures for the second straight game with 14 points. As a team, New Haven finished the game shooting 50.7 percent, connecting on 35-of-69 attempts, with eight of those 35 field goals from outside the three point arc. The Chargers also closed out the game with a 32-31 advantage in the battle of the boards, led by Felizor who hauled in eight rebounds.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The men's basketball team ran away with a 72-42 victory over No. 17/18 Bentley at Charger Gym. Leading the Blue and Gold was Derrick Rowland (Cohoes, N.Y./Green Tech) who dropped in 18 points, one of four players to finish in double figures. The Cohoes, N.Y. native finished the game shooting 6-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Joining Rowland in leading the team was seniors Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School) and Kessly Felizor (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown) who finished with 14 and 12 points respectively, while freshman forward Davontrey Thomas (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Poughkeepsie) closed out the night with 15 points. All 15 of Thomas' points came from outside the arc where he finished 5-of-8, while securing his first double double of the season with a career-high 10 boards. As a team, the Chargers closed out the game shooting 52.9 percent from the field, connecting on 27-of-51 field goal attempts. The Chargers also captured the battle of the boards with a 37-27 margin, the largest of the season. Defensively, the Blue and Gold held Bentley to less than half of their 83.6 points per game average, while limiting the Falcons to just 26.9 percent shooting (14-of-52).
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
For the fifth time in the last six years, New Haven knocked off a ranked opponent when they defeated the No. 17/18 Bentley 72-42 in cross-divisional action. The win over Bentley also marks the second-straight year New Haven defeated a ranked Bentley team. Overall under Hotaling, the Chargers have defeated seven ranked opponents, including the highest ranked team in program history; No. 2 Southern Connecticut State University in 2015-16.

BRING OUT THE BROOMS
Senior Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School) and Freshman Davontrey Thomas (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Poughkeepsie) capped off a 2-0 week sweeping the NE10 Weekly awards. Bailey earns the second NE10 Player of the Week accolade of his career, while Thomas is the first Charger to earn Rookie of the Week honors since Derrick Rowland (Cohoes, N.Y./Green Tech) earned the distinction on February 19, 2018. That date also marks the last time the Chargers swept the weekly honors with Rowland joined by then senior Danny Upchurch who earned Player of the Week honors. Bailey closed out last week averaging 25 points on 18-of-24 field goal attempts with eight of those buckets from outside the three point arc. Bailey also hauled in 15 boards including his first career double double with a career-high 10 rebounds against Holy Family. Thomas capped off his weekly performance with a pair of career highs on Sunday afternoon against Holy Family when he scored 18 points and dished out six assists.

HONOR ROLL
In addition to its Player and Rookie of the Week awards, the Northeast-10 Conference also doles out Honor Roll accolades to some of the best performances from the week prior. So far this season, Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School) (3x) and Kessly Felizor (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown) (twice) have each earned the honor multiple times.
2019-20 NE10 Honor Roll Recipients
Nov. 25 :: Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School)
Dec. 09 :: Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School)
Dec. 09 :: Kessly Felizor (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown)
Dec. 16 :: Kessly Felizor (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown)
Jan. 6 :: Derrick Rowland (Cohoes, N.Y./Green Tech)
Jan. 13 :: Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School)

THREE POINT THREAT
With the return of the top two three point shooters from a season ago, New Haven is poised to build on the momentum of a school record 267 three point field goals last season. It was the second straight year the Chargers hit a school record from long range as they did so with 239 during the 2017-18 campaign. Leading New Haven into the new season will be Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School) (68) and Derrick Rowland (Cohoes, N.Y./Green Tech) (66) who combined for half of the total three pointers from last season. The biggest loss from outside the arc comes in the form of Roy Kane, Jr. (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) who finished with 46 three pointers. Through the first 13 games, the Chargers have converted 137 three pointers, if they were to maintain their current average for the remainder of the regular season the Chargers would stand at 249 three pointers made. 

TIGHTENING THE BELT
Since returning from the Sunshine State, head coach Ted Hotaling may have hit the point in the season where he has tightened the belt on his rotation, relying on just seven players total in a three-game stretch against SCSU, Saint Rose and AIC. Additionally, all 71 points against SCSU and all 65 points against American International came from the starting five.

MOVIN' ON UP
Senior Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School) became the 35th player in program history to hit the 1,000 career point plateau as part of a career-high 32-point night against crosstown rival Southern Connecticut State University on February 6, 2019. After opening the season rounding out the top 25 on the career scoring list, Bailey will continue to quickly ascend the ranks. With his 14 points last time out vs Bentley, he is currently 14th all-time with 1,445 career points. Bailey now has his eye on lucky number 13 which is currently held by Eric Anderson (Newark, N.J./Newark Tech) (2011-15) with 1,551 points.

MILESTONE MAN
Senior Kessly Felizor (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown) is on par to become the first player since Eric Anderson (Newark, N.J./Newark Tech) (2011-15) to enter a pair of prestigious lists at New Haven; the 500 Rebound and 1,000 Point clubs. Last season, Felizor broke into the 500 rebound club and has since moved up to 15th all-time. In the hunt for 1,000 points, Felizor currently stands 82 shy of breaking the plateau, where he would become the 36th player to do so. Upon completing that feat, Felizor would be the 18th player all-time to join both the 500 rebound and 1,000 point club.

DIALING LONG DISTANCE
Senior Elijah Bailey (Freeport, N.Y./The Hotchkiss School) entered another top-10 in program history in the early part of the season when he broke in among the top three point shooters at New Haven. He currently stands tied for sixth in program history in three pointers made with 177 and with just three more would break into the top-five all-time. Extended beyond that, Bailey has the ability to close out his career third all-time in three pointers made which is currently held by both Alberto Alberdi (1998-03) and Gary Battle (1987-91) who each had 190 three pointers to their credit.

DOUBLE DIPPING
Senior Kessly Felizor (Hightstown, N.J./Hightstown) flew a bit under the radar in the month of December, but in doing so he has compiled a double double in four of the five games that month. In that same stretch, the senior post player averaged with 18.6 ppg and 10.6 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 65.5 percent in that same stretch (36-of-55). In addition to that, Felizor picked off 10 steals over the five game stretch.

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
Since the calendar rolled over to a new decade two weeks ago, the Chargers redshirt junior guard Derrick Rowland (Cohoes, N.Y./Green Tech) has been nothing but impressive, racking up a pair of 25+ performances, including a career-high 32 points against NE10 SW Division foe Adelphi. Over the four games since the New Year, Rowland is averaging 21.5 points, shooting 32-of-47 (68.1%) overall and 16-of-22 (73%) from long range and has dished out 24 assists, grabbed seven boards and picked off four steals.

LITERACY MATTERS
For the fourth straight season, the New Haven men's basketball team will partner with Coaching for Literacy to promote the #Fight4Literacy initiative on February 1 when they host Franklin Pierce. New Haven remains the only Division II program to partner with Coaching for Literacy, a program whose goal is to promote childhood reading in local communities. In addition to raising awareness on February 1, the Chargers will offer a special admission opportunity that afternoon-Any fan who brings a new or gently used book to the game will receive complimentary admission. All books collected will then be donated to the West Haven Read to Grow program.

FUTURE FOAL
Tenth year head coach Ted Hotaling announced the commitment of one player during the early signing period in November, a 6-2 forward out of Elizabeth High School in Elizabeth, N.J., Jordan Price. As a junior last season, Price averaged 14.6 points per game, while pulling down 6.8 rebounds per game. Among his highlights last year was a 30-point outing versus Christian Brothers on February 9, while he also posted a 23 point, eight rebound and six block performance against Plainfield on January 15.

PRESEASON PROPS
After being picked second in the previous two seasons, New Haven was the unanimous pick to win the Southwest Division in the Northeast-10 as predicted by a tally of the league's head coaches. New Haven registered 91 points in the poll, the most among all 14 teams in the league. The reigning NCAA East Region Champion Saint Anselm was picked to finish first in the Northeast Division earning five of the 14 possible first place votes, while Stonehill matched the five first place votes but finished second in the overall vote tally.
2019-20 NE10 Men's Basketball Coaches Poll
Northeast Division:
1. Saint Anselm - 78 (5)
2. Stonehill - 72 (5)
3. Bentley – 62 (1)
t-4. Franklin Pierce – 60 (3)
t-4. Southern New Hampshire – 60
6. Assumption – 33
7. Saint Michael's - 20 
Southwest Division:
1. New Haven - 91 (13)
2. Adelphi - 69 (1)
3. Southern Connecticut – 61
4. Pace – 53
5. Le Moyne – 51
6. Saint Rose – 36
7. American International - 24

THE SCHEDULE
"Our goal each year is to play a competitive non-league schedule to prepare us for the Northeast-10, one of the toughest leagues in the country," said head coach Ted Hotaling. "We have accomplished that again this season with games against teams both inside and outside of the East Region."

• The New Haven men's basketball schedule consists of 26 total dates.
• The Chargers open up the season with a big test, playing four of their first five games away from the friendly confines of Charger Gymnasium. Included is a trip to the Sunshine State to compete in the Terrace Hotel Thanksgiving Classic against perennial Sunshine State Conference power Florida Southern, and Saint Leo.
• Among the 13 Northeast-10 Conference opponents, the Chargers will play their six divisional opponents twice; Adelphi, Southern Connecticut State, Saint Rose, Pace, Le Moyne and American International.
• New Haven will play seven non-conference games including Concordia (N.Y.), Florida Southern, Saint Leo, Holy Family, Jefferson, Saint Thomas Aquinas and a season-ending match-up with Molloy.