New Haven, Conn. (November 25) - After holding a nine-point first-half lead, Saint Anselm couldn't withstand a second-half New Haven charge as the Hawks dropped a 59-48 final to the University of New Haven at Charger Gym on Tuesday night in Northeast-10 play. It was the first meeting with the Chargers since New Haven joined the Northeast-10 Conference this season.

In the first half, it was the Chargers that jumped out to a 10-9 lead with 13:21 remaining after a pair of free throws by senior Briiana Rende (Augusta, Maine). The Hawks exploded on a 10-0 run though and with 10:03 left in the half held a 19-10 lead. That run was capped by a three-pointer by sophomore guard Katie Larkin (Goffstown, N.H.). New Haven closed to within four with 43 seconds left, but a pair of Larkin free throws made is 33-27 Hawks at the halftime break. Freshman Megan Howard (St. Paul, Minn.) had a double-double in the first eight minutes of play and ended the half with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Lauren Hood (Ashland, Mass.) led the Chargers 10 points in the period.

New Haven opened the second half on an 11-0 run to seize a 38-33 lead before Jennifer Gureckis (Nashua, N.H.) knocked down an open jumper with five seconds left on the shot clock to close back within 38-35 with 14:55 left. The Hawks briefly regained the edge at 39-38 on a putback by Courtney May (Lakeville, Mass.) before New Haven's Rende knocked down a three for the 41-39 advantage, a lead that they would never relinquish.

Howard led the Hawks with 15 points and 19 rebounds, her third double-double in five career games. Hood paced four Chargers in double figures with a team-best 17 points on 5-for-14 shooting from the field.

With the loss, Saint Anselm falls to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in Northeast-10 play, while New Haven now sits at 3-2 overall and 2-1 in league play. Saint Anselm is back in action on Sunday, November 30 as the Hawks host American International for a 1:30 p.m. start at Stoutenburgh Gym.