GAME DAY INFORMATION |
DATE: February 14, 2024
|
LOCATION: Moore Fieldhouse | New Haven, Conn. |
|
GAME DAY LINKS |
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO |
|
|
|
THE LEAD
The second installment of the Battle of the Elm City is on tap and as always it is sure to be a battle from the opening tip to the final buzzer. New Haven looks to get back in the win column for the first time in three games and exact revenge after an OT loss to the Owls in the first meeting, while at the same time breaking a four-game win streak for the Owls.Â
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, scoring 22 of his 25 points to lead the Chargers to victory. With that season-high in the scoring column, he now averages 15.0 ppg and is the biggest threat from outside the arc with 53 of his 120 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) who added his second 30+ performance at home against Bentley and now leads the team averaging 16.0 ppg. The rookie guard also leads the team with 64 assists and 31 steals and has scored 20+ eight 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 10.8 ppg, while he is third overall in rebounding at 3.8 rebounds per game.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT
With five games left in the regular season and riding a four-game win streak into Wednesday night, the Owls are in a tough spot in the league standings, currently tied with Southern New Hampshire in the No. 4 spot in the standings with the top four teams following the regular season earning a bye in the opening round. A week from today, the Owls and Penmen will meet again with SCSU looking to avenge a loss in the first meeting of the year. For the season, Southern Connecticut is averaging 79.9 points per game which is second most in the Northeast-10. Individually, three Owls are averaging in double figures with Josh McGettigan leading the team at 18.0 ppg while he is second in rebounding at 7.0 per game. Kazell Stewart and Marty Silvera follow in the scoring column at 13.8 and 13.7 ppg, respectively.
SERIES HISTORY vs SCSU
·       In one of the most storied series in program history, New Haven and Southern New Hampshire meet for the 99th time in the history of the two programs.
·       New Haven holds a 51-47 advantage in the previous 98 games, including a series of 12-straight wins during the late 80's.
·       New Haven opened up the series winning six straight games before allowing the Owls to nearly even the series with five-straight of their own.
·       Last season, New Haven swept the two games against Southern Connecticut, the second to advance the Chargers to the NE10 Championship game.
NEXT TIME OUT
With just two more home games on the docket, the Chargers will return to their West Haven home at the Jeffery P. Hazell Athletic Center for their penultimate home game when they host the American International Yellow Jackets. Tip off from Charger Gymnasium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. with all of the action available live on NE10Now.tv.
Â
