WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — In a game where statistical projections heavily favored the home team, the Boston University Terriers defied the odds with a disciplined defensive performance to secure a 65-58 victory over the New Haven Chargers in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Saturday.

The Terriers, who evened their record at 2-2, relied on a dominant second-quarter surge and an efficient offensive afternoon from star center Anete Adler to hand the Chargers their third loss in four games.

The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with New Haven’s Lindsay Hogan catching fire from beyond the arc. Hogan drilled three 3-pointers in the opening period, helping the Chargers build a 19-17 lead. The Terriers kept pace largely through the interior presence of Adler, who scored several early baskets in the paint.

The complexion of the game shifted dramatically in the second quarter. Boston University’s defense locked down, holding New Haven to a mere six points. The Chargers’ offense sputtered, going cold from the field and committing a series of turnovers that the Terriers capitalized on. A key sequence saw Boston University’s Bella McLaughlin score on consecutive layups, one off a steal by Adler, to ignite a 14-2 run that spanned much of the period. The Terriers took a 31-25 lead into halftime, having completely flipped the momentum.

Emerging from the break, Adler took control. The 6-foot-5 junior from Tallinn, Estonia, was a force on both ends of the floor. She scored consistently in the post, drew fouls, and protected the rim with two blocks. Her efforts helped Boston University extend its lead, answering every push New Haven attempted to make. The Terriers outscored the Chargers 21-18 in the third quarter to carry a 52-43 advantage into the final period.

New Haven refused to go quietly. Chargers post player Merit Innocent, who provided a vital spark off the bench with 14 points, scored consistently inside to keep her team within striking distance. A late 3-pointer from Hogan, her fifth of the game, brought New Haven to within four points with under a minute to play, sending a jolt through the crowd of 136 at Charger Gymnasium.

In the closing seconds, however, Boston University sealed the game at the free-throw line. McLaughlin and Audrey Ericksen hit critical foul shots to push the lead back to two possessions and ultimately secure the seven-point win.

Adler finished with a game-high 21 points, adding eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 31 minutes of action. McLaughlin, a 5-foot-6 guard from Hampden, Maine, orchestrated the offense with 11 points and six assists. Ericksen also chipped in 11 points and six rebounds, providing a valuable secondary scoring option.

For New Haven, Hogan matched Adler’s 21 points, but did so on inefficient shooting, particularly from long range where the Chargers struggled as a team, making only 8 of 30 attempts. Innocent’s 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field was a bright spot for the home team.

The game was ultimately decided by shooting efficiency and ball security. Boston University shot a blistering 63.6% from 3-point range, connecting on 7 of 11 attempts, while New Haven managed just 26.7%. The Terriers also committed only 12 turnovers compared to 15 for the Chargers, leading to a 14-11 advantage in points off turnovers.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, New Haven had entered the contest with an 81.80 percent probability to win, making Boston University’s victory a significant upset.

The Terriers will look to build on this win when they travel to face Brown on Wednesday. New Haven, now 1-3, will aim to regroup quickly as they host Bard on Monday.