GAME DAY INFORMATION |
DATE: January 30, 2024
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LOCATION: Hazell Athletic Center | West Haven, Conn. |
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GAME DAY LINKS |
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO |
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THE LEAD
The New Haven men's basketball team will close out back-to-back home games and the month of January on Tuesday night when they host the Assumption Greyhounds. The Chargers look to return to the win column and snap a two-game skid while Assumption has won four of its last five games with the lone loss a three-OT thriller.
SCOUTING NEW HAVEN
The Chargers continue to rely on the leadership of Davontrey Thomas (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Poughkeepsie) who was impressive in the second half against Saint Rose three games ago, scoring 22 of his 25 points to lead the Chargers to victory. With that season-high in the scoring column, he now averages 14.4 ppg and is the biggest threat from outside the arc with 42 of his 91 total field goals from long range. Additionally, New Haven will need to rely on its youth which they have for much of the season with two of the top three scorers in their first season of eligibility. Leading that duo is true freshman Jah'Likai King (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) added his second 30+ performance at home against Bentley and now leads the team averaging 15.1 ppg. The rookie guard also leads the team with 51 assists and 30 steals and has scored 20+ six times this season. The other rookie that has made an impact this season is redshirt sophomore Ethan Simmon (Edison, N.J./St. Joseph Metuchen) who is third on the team averaging 11.5 ppg, while he is third overall in rebounding at 4.0 rebounds per game.
SCOUTING ASSUMPTION
With a tight grouping in the middle of the NE10 standings, Assumption currently stands at sixth which would secure them an opening round home game in the NE10 Championship which begins in the first week of March. However, the Greyhounds could move up significantly as they are just two wins out of second place, while they have four teams all within three losses of catching them in the standings. In the scoring column, the Greyhounds don't really distinguish themselves from the pack as they are averaging 74.3 points per game but surrendering 74.2 ppg to their opponents. As a team, they are also being outrebounded by just under two boards per game. Individually, Assumption is led by Kasey Draper who is tied for fifth in the NE10 with an average of 18.2 ppg. Draper has scored 20+ in each of the last five games, starting that stretch out with an impressive 46-point performance at home against Saint Michael's. Overall, he is one of four players in double figures joined by Kani Glover (13.4 ppg), Njavan Stewart (11.8) and Daouda Dembele (10.5).
SERIES HISTORY vs ASSUMPTION
·        New Haven and Assumption meet for the 30th time in the history of the two programs.
·        New Haven holds a 17-12 advantage in the previous 29 games.
·        Both of last season's games were decided by a single point with each team winning on its home court.
·        With the Greyhounds win in the second meeting in Worcester, they broke a 10-game win streak the Chargers were riding in the all-time series.
·        The Greyhounds have now won two-straight against New Haven taking the first meeting this season by a 69-65 margin.
NEXT TIME OUT
Following the second of back-to-back home games tonight, the Chargers will not return back to West Haven for 10 days as they open the month of February with back-to-back road games. First up on the list will be first of two trips to Manchester, N.H. in the month, this time around visiting the Southern New Hampshire Penmen on Saturday, February 3. Tip off at the Stan Spirou Field House is slated for 3:30 p.m. with all of the action available live on NE10Now.tv
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