WEST HAVEN, Conn. — New Haven Women's Basketball (7-20, 5-11 NEC) dropped a close contest to Wagner (13-14, 9-7 NEC), 64-62, at The Hazell Center. The Chargers led by four after the first quarter but were outscored 20-11 in a pivotal third quarter. Despite forcing 14 steals and tying the game three times, New Haven was unable to overcome 27 turnovers, leading to 33 points for Wagner.

The Chargers started strong, with Aniya McDonald-Perry (Middletown, Conn./Putnam Science Academy) opening the scoring with a layup at 9:03, assisted by Teaira Kelley (Monroe, Ga./Walnut Grove). McDonald-Perry dominated the boards with 17 rebounds, more than doubling her season average of 8.88. Jasmine McKay (West Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) added a fast break layup and finished with 17 points, significantly above her season average of 4.04. Wagner narrowed the gap with a three-pointer by Klea Kaci at 6:01. McKay hit a three-pointer at 4:42, again assisted by McDonald-Perry, maintaining the Chargers' lead. The quarter ended 16-12 in favor of New Haven, with strong defensive rebounds from McDonald-Perry.

The second quarter saw a 16-16 deadlock. Wagner capitalized on New Haven's turnovers, scoring 10 off them. Keana Foz added key scores for Wagner, including a layup at 3:21. Lindsay Hogan (Bayville, N.Y./Locust Valley) connected on a three-pointer for the Chargers at 7:02, assisted by McDonald-Perry. Merit Innocent's (Delta State, Nigeria/Busche Academy) layup at 2:03 helped New Haven hold a narrow 32-28 lead late in the quarter.

In the third quarter, Wagner took control, outscoring New Haven 20-11. Addisen Sulikowski's (Saco, ME/Thornton Academy) fast-break three-pointer at 8:34, assisted by Kelley, briefly extended New Haven's lead to 35-28. Wagner responded, tying the game at 35 with a free throw by Priscila Varela at 7:01. Kaci added a layup and a three-pointer, giving Wagner a 40-37 lead. McDonald-Perry's efforts in the closing seconds left New Haven trailing 48-43 entering the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was tightly contested, but Wagner emerged with a 64-62 victory. Angelie Ricard's layup extended Wagner's lead to 50-43. Kelley answered with a layup for New Haven, closing the gap to five. McDonald-Perry's free throws brought the score to 52-48. Foz hit a crucial jumper at 5:33, followed by a free throw to keep Wagner ahead 55-50. McKay's three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining brought the Chargers within one at 63-62, but Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor's free throw secured the win for Wagner.

"Aniya showed out in her last home game with 14 and 17 rebounds. We fought hard and had a chance to tie at the end. We are competing and have lost eight by single digits," Head Coach Debbie Buff said postgame.

New Haven Top Performers  

Aniya McDonald-Perry (Middletown, Conn./Putnam Science Academy)  
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- 14 points  
- 17 rebounds  
- 4 blocks  
- 3 steals  

Jasmine McKay (West Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon)  
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- 17 points  
- 3 3-pointers  
- 2 assists  

Teaira Kelley (Monroe, Ga./Walnut Grove)  
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- 8 points  
- 3 rebounds  
- 2 steals  

Renelle Grannum (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin)  
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- 7 points, marking a season-high  
- 2 rebounds  

Merit Innocent (Delta State, Nigeria/Busche Academy)  
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- 7 rebounds  

Up Next, New Haven will travel to Syracuse NY., to face Le Moyne College on Saturday, February 28, at 1 p.m.