Southern Conn. St. SCSU 9-12,5-8 NE10

Southern N.H. SNHU 10-12,4-9 NE10

Southern Conn. St. SCSU

9-12,5-8 NE10

Final

Feb. 07, 2026

Southern N.H. SNHU

10-12,4-9 NE10

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Southern Conn. St. SCSU	33	32	65
Southern N.H. SNHU	36	30	66

Summary
Box Score

Alvin Furlow

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/7/2026 5:43:00 PM

Diarra, Ellison Hit Milestones But SCSU Men's Basketball Falls To SNHU

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Southern Connecticut men's basketball lost to Southern New Hampshire, 66-65, in a Northeast-10 Conference matchup in Manchester, N.H. With the loss, Southern dropped to 9-12 overall and 5-8 in the NE10 while Southern New Hampshire improved to 10-12 overall and 4-9 in conference play.

Two Owls reached career milestones as Cherif Diarra recorded his 1,000th rebound and Justice Ellison recorded the 2,000th point of his career. Diarra totaled 17 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season while adding four assists and three steals. Ellison also scored 15 points and passed 2,000 point mark for his career. Kazell Stewart finished with 11 points and seven rebounds while Christian McClease had six points and seven boards.

Days removed from joining SCSU's 1,000-point club, Diarra became the fourth men's basketball player in Southern Connecticut history to record 1,000 rebounds. Diarra is also the first player in NE10 history with 1,017 points, 1008 rebounds, 271 assists, 176 blocks, and 125 steals in his career.

Midway through the first half, it looked as if SNHU might run away with the game. The Penmen led 27-12 with 9:12 to go before Southern rocketed on a 15-3 run to cut the score to 30-27 with three minutes to play in the half. Ellison and Simon Percy both totaled five points in the run. Southern extended that run to 21-6 when it tied the game, 33-33, on a three-point play by Stewart, who scored on a driving layup and then converted on the free throw after being fouled. A desperation heave at the buzzer gave Southern New Hampshire a three-point lead, 36-33, at the break.

Southern tied the game against at 43-43 with 13:49 remaining. SNHU used a 13-5 advantage to take an eight-point lead, 56-48, with 8:09 remaining. Diarra took over in the closing minutes, scoring eight points as Southern outscored the Penmen, 17-12 over the final eight minutes, with Malik Banks knocking down a pair of three-pointers.

With the Owls trailing by five with 34 seconds remaining, Stewart banged home a three to get the Owls within a basket. Southern was whistled for a foul on the ensuing inbounds play, allowing SNHU to push its lead to four points with 20 seconds to go. The Owls missed twice before Diarra slid behind the three-point line and hit one from long range at the buzzer, leaving Southern short of a point as time expired.
Southern heads to Worcester, Mass. on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to take on Assumption at 7:30 p.m. The Owls return home on Saturday, Feb. 14 for a 3:30 p.m. tip-off against AIC.

PRIDE DAY
Join Southern Connecticut State University's Athletic Department for Pride Day on Saturday, Feb. 14, a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, inclusion, and community at the James Moore Field House! This special event will take place during SCSU's basketball doubleheader against American International College and will feature a vibrant halftime performance by Bleach the Drag Queen.

The afternoon tips off with the Women's Basketball game at 1:30 PM, followed by the Men's Basketball game at 3:30 PM. Fans attending either (or both!) games can enjoy the excitement of competition alongside a dynamic drag performance that brings energy, joy, and visibility to the celebration.

Pride Day is proudly presented in partnership with the SAGE Center and the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, reaffirming SCSU's commitment to creating inclusive spaces where all members of our community feel seen, valued, and supported.

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