New Haven controlled the tempo from the outset, building a commanding 27-14 halftime lead over Fairleigh Dickinson at the Jeffery P. Hazell Athletics Center. The Chargers' balanced offense, led by Andre Pasha's 16 points, proved too much for the Knights to overcome, as New Haven secured a 65-55 win.
Pasha's performance was complemented by Jabri Fitzpatrick's 14 points and 5 assists, as well as Najimi George's 11 points and 8 rebounds. This collective effort allowed New Haven to dictate the flow of the game, never trailing after the opening minutes. Fairleigh Dickinson, on the other hand, struggled to find its footing in the first half, scoring just 14 points.
David Jevtic was the bright spot for the Knights, finishing with 13 points, while Joey Niesman and Eric Parnell chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Despite their best efforts, Fairleigh Dickinson couldn't overcome the significant deficit, managing to outscore New Haven 41-38 in the second half but ultimately falling short.
The win marked a solid, if not spectacular, performance for New Haven, which improved to 9-11 on the season. Given the non-conference nature of the matchup, the result won't drastically alter the Chargers' tournament chances, but it does provide a much-needed boost to their resume. For Fairleigh Dickinson, now 7-14, the loss was another setback in a season that has seen its share of struggles.
This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, meaning it won't carry significant weight in the NCAA's tournament selection process. However, for New Haven, the victory helps to mitigate the damage from previous losses in similar Quadrant 4 games. The Chargers' current net ranking of 328, while not impressive, is slightly better than Fairleigh Dickinson's 334, highlighting the narrow gap between these two programs.
New Haven's ability to close out the game, despite a somewhat lackluster second-half performance, matters in its future outings. The Chargers must build on this momentum, using it as a stepping stone to tackle more challenging opponents and improve their position in the standings. For Fairleigh Dickinson, the focus shifts to regrouping and preparing for its next contest, with the hope of turning its season around and making a late push for a more respectable record.
The outcome of this game, while not shocking, underscores the importance of consistency and strong team play. New Haven's well-rounded performance earned it a hard-fought win, one that, although not a significant upset, demonstrates the team's capabilities when its players are firing on all cylinders. As the season progresses, the Chargers will aim to replicate this formula, seeking to strengthen their tournament resume and make a lasting impression on the college basketball landscape.