ALBANY, N.Y. – Despite a 35 point performance from rookie guard Jah'Likai King (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) to open up the season, the New Haven men's basketball team came up on the short end of the stick in its season opener, an overtime 89-85 decision to the Post Eagles in the opening game of the Saint Rose Golden Knights Tipoff Tournament.
King finished the game shooting 14-of-21 from the field to lead all players in the game and three Chargers in double figures joined by sophomore Ethan Simmon (Edison, N.J./St. Joseph Metuchen) and senior Davontrey Thomas (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Poughkeepsie) who finished with 17 and 12 points, respectively.
As a team, New Haven finished the game outshooting the Eagles, connecting on 31-of-60 field goal attempts for a 51.7 percent effort, with five of those field goals coming from outside the three-point arc. Additionally, the Blue and Gold took advantage of 22 trips to the free throw line where they converted 18 of those attempts, led by Simmon and King did not miss an attempt, combing to go 11-of-11 between the pair.
The Eagles also won the battle of the boards in the opening game with a 42-26 margin, with Simmon and Thomas leading the Chargers with five rebounds apiece. King also added four steals, part of 12 total for the Chargers, while Simmon finished with a trio of assists, part of 10 total.
The Chargers will close out the season-opening tournament on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Wilmington Wildcats in game two of the weekend with opening tip off set for 4:00 p.m.
