New Haven defeats Stonehill 55-70
New Haven Pulls Away Late for 70-55 Win over Stonehill
In a tightly contested conference matchup, visiting New Haven emerged victorious with a 15-point win at home, 70-55, over Stonehill in front of a lively crowd at Merkert Gymnasium.
The game was knotted at halftime, as the away team led 36-31. However, New Haven's high-powered offense took over in the second half, outscoring Stonehill 34-24 to build a comfortable lead. The difference in pace and shooting efficiency became increasingly apparent as the game wore on, with New Haven converting 47% of its field goal attempts compared to Stonehill's 35%.
Najimi George led the charge for New Haven with 14 points, including three makeable threes that helped seal the win. Teshaun Steele chipped in with seven rebounds and five points off the bench.
On the other side, Chas Stinson paced Stonehill with 14 points, but struggled from beyond the arc, going just 0-for-2. Ridvan Tutic grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds for the home team.
In terms of advanced statistics, New Haven's edge in efficiency was clear-cut. The away team boasted an eFG% of 55.2%, while Stonehill checked in at 40.4%. Additionally, New Haven outrebounded their opponents by five on the defensive end and committed just eight turnovers to Stonehill's 12.
The win for New Haven snaps a two-game losing streak and puts the team back in the mix in conference play. For Stonehill, the defeat marks their third straight loss and serves as a reminder of how far they still have to go in order to compete with top-tier teams like this one.
GAME STATS
* Field Goals: New Haven (47.0%), Stonehill (35.0%)
* 2-Point FG: New Haven (48.6%), Stonehill (36.8%)
* 3-Point FG: New Haven (43.0%), Stonehill (32.0%)
* Free Throws: New Haven (67.0%), Stonehill (75.0%)
* Rebounds: New Haven (29), Stonehill (35)
* Assists: New Haven (16), Stonehill (10)
* Turnovers: New Haven (8), Stonehill (12)
This win for New Haven was a testament to the team's ability to execute and make big plays when it mattered most. With the victory, they've taken a significant step forward in conference play and will look to build on this momentum moving forward.