Chicago State Stuns New Haven in Thrilling 63-57 Upset

In a stunning turn of events, Chicago State, ranked 351 in the net rankings, pulled off a monumental upset over New Haven, ranked 324, with a 63-57 victory at the Jeffery P. Hazell Athletics Center. This outcome was a far cry from the predicted 68-66 New Haven win, as Chicago State defied the odds and silenced the home crowd. The CHD Scout's prediction of a 2.1-point New Haven win was proven incorrect, as Chicago State's impressive performance secured a 6-point margin of victory.

The game got off to a blistering start, with Chicago State taking a 32-22 lead into halftime. New Haven's Jabri Fitzpatrick, who finished with 14 points and 9 rebounds, led the charge for the Chargers in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. Chicago State's Marcus Tankersley was the star of the show, pouring in 19 points to pace the Cougars' attack. Tankersley's performance was complemented by Doyel Cockrill III's 12 points and 9 rebounds, as well as CJ Ray's 10 points and 6 rebounds.

New Haven's Andre Pasha and Najimi George chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively, but the Chargers' offense struggled to find consistency. Despite a strong second-half push, New Haven was unable to overcome the early hole dug by Chicago State's hot start. The Cougars' ability to maintain their lead and close out the game was a reflection of their resilience and determination.

This upset victory has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Chicago State, the win is a much-needed boost to their resume, albeit still a Quadrant 4 victory. However, it's a crucial step in the right direction for a team that has struggled to find consistency this season. On the other hand, New Haven's loss is a damaging blow to their postseason hopes, as it drops them to 10-14 on the season and marks a missed opportunity to bolster their own resume.

The fact that this was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams underscores the challenges that both Chicago State and New Haven face in their pursuit of tournament berths. Nevertheless, Chicago State's upset win will undoubtedly be a highlight of their season, and they want to build on this momentum as they move forward. For New Haven, the loss serves as a reminder of the importance of capitalizing on opportunities against lower-ranked opponents.