The New Haven Chargers pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the Long Island University Sharks 55-52, with Jabri Fitzpatrick leading the charge with 19 points. This 3-point victory marked a significant upset, given Long Island University's NET ranking of 186, while New Haven sat at 336. The Chargers' win improved their record to 11-15, while Long Island University fell to 17-9. New Haven's 55 points were fueled by 31 points in the first period, which proved crucial in securing the win.
New Haven's 31 Points in the First Period Were a Season High
The game got off to a rocky start for Long Island University, with the Sharks scoring just 15 points in the first period, while New Haven posted 31. However, Long Island University mounted a comeback in the second period, scoring 37 points to New Haven's 24. Despite this, the Chargers' strong first-period performance ultimately proved decisive, as they held on for a 3-point victory. At halftime, New Haven led 31-15, and although Long Island University outscored them 37-24 in the second half, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. The Sharks' 22 points from Greg Gordon, including 6 rebounds, were a highlight, but New Haven's balanced attack, with 11 points and 8 rebounds from Najimi George, and 9 points and 9 rebounds from Andre Pasha, proved too much to handle.
Jabri Fitzpatrick was the standout performer for New Haven, scoring 19 points to lead the Chargers to victory. Najimi George and Andre Pasha also made significant contributions, with 11 points and 8 rebounds, and 9 points and 9 rebounds, respectively. For Long Island University, Greg Gordon was the top performer, scoring 22 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Malachi Davis added 7 points, while Caleb Johnson chipped in with 6 points. The performances of these players were crucial, with New Haven's trio combining for 39 points and 23 rebounds, and Long Island University's top three scorers accounting for 35 points.
CHD Scout Report Card
INCORRECTPredicted
Final
New Haven's 31 points in the first period set the tone for the game, and their 24 points in the second period were just enough to hold off Long Island University's comeback. The Sharks' 15 points in the first period were a season low, and their 37 points in the second period were not enough to overcome the deficit. New Haven outrebounded Long Island University 38-29, with Andre Pasha and Najimi George combining for 17 rebounds. The Chargers also committed just 12 turnovers, while Long Island University had 15, which proved costly in the 3-point loss.
The CHD Scout prediction model incorrectly forecasted a Long Island University win by 10.7 points, with a predicted score of 60-71. However, the actual result was a 55-52 New Haven victory, with the Chargers winning by 3 points. This significant upset highlights the model's limitations and the unpredictability of college basketball. The model missed New Haven's strong first-period performance and the Chargers' ability to hold off Long Island University's second-half comeback. With 19 points from Jabri Fitzpatrick and a balanced attack, New Haven was a tougher opponent than predicted.
This win was a Quadrant 4 victory for New Haven, while it was also a Quadrant 4 loss for Long Island University. Given the significant difference in NET rankings, with Long Island University at 186 and New Haven at 336, this upset will have implications for both teams' tournament resumes. New Haven's win improved their record to 11-15, while Long Island University fell to 17-9. The loss will likely drop Long Island University's NET ranking, while New Haven's win could help them climb out of the 300s. With 55 points and a 3-point victory, New Haven made a statement, and their performance will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
New Haven's next game is scheduled for February 17, against the Saint Francis Brooklyn Terriers. Long Island University will face the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights on February 18. Both teams want to build on their recent performances, with New Haven seeking to capitalize on their upset win and Long Island University aiming to bounce back from the loss. With 19 points from Jabri Fitzpatrick and a strong team performance, New Haven will be confident heading into their next game.