Box Score WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team was defeated by the University of New Haven, 79-76, on Saturday afternoon at Charger Gymnasium. With the loss, the overall record of the Owls dropped to 7-6, 4-2 in Northeast-10 competition, while the Chargers improved to 10-2, 4-2 in the league.
Southern Conn. was led offensively by
Mariah Hankton (Upper Marlboro, Md.) who tallied a team-high 19 points, four assists, two rebounds, and a steal during 28 minutes of play. Sophomore
Taylor McLaughlin (Colchester, Conn.) chipped in off the bench with 17 points, six rebounds, an assist, two blocks and two steals.
The Owls finished the afternoon shooting 40.9 percent (27-of-66) from the floor as well as held a 32-19 edge over the Chargers in bench points.
Just three minutes into the first New Haven took control of the game with an early 8-4 lead over the visitors. But, it wasn't long until the Owls tied the hosts at 8-8 following a layup from
Jackie Beathea (Annandale, Va.). Over the next four minutes of play, Southern Connecticut found its rhythm with an 11-3 run and taking a 19-11 lead over the Chargers.
Shortly after, New Haven brought the score to within one, 19-18, but Southern Connecticut rallied off five straight points to extend its lead to six, 24-18, with 10:20 left in the first. With the clock winding down, the momentum shifted to New Haven as they managed a 14-5 run taking a 32-29 lead.
Southern Connecticut kept the Chargers' lead to within reach, 38-34, with a minute to play in the half. After a Charger basket from Lauren Hebert, Owls'
Paige Decker (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) answered right back with the Owls' final basket of the half bringing the score to 42-37 heading into halftime.
New Haven came out charging as the team managed to extend its lead to double-digits over the first eight minutes of the second half. However, a short spurt by the Owls found themselves within six, 67-61, with 5:50 left on the clock.
Over the next two minutes, Southern Connecticut came out firing on all cylinders managing a 10-3 run and taking its first lead of the half, 71-70. New Haven came right back taking a 77-73 lead over the Owls until a three-pointer from Hankton brought the score to within one, 77-76 with 10 seconds remaining. However, it was New Haven who came out on top, 79-76, after back-to-back free throws from Elizabeth Cruso.
Next up, the Owls return to Moore Fieldhouse tomorrow, Jan. 4th, for a non-conference showdown against Univ. of Sciences (Pa.). Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
