WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — Aniya McDonald-Perry scored 23 points and New Haven used a dominant third-quarter surge to erase a halftime deficit and hold off a frantic Stonehill rally for a 66-61 victory in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball game Friday night at Charger Gymnasium.

The Chargers, who entered the game with a 79.4% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, improved to 3-9 overall. The Skyhawks fell to 4-8.

The game’s pivotal shift came immediately after halftime. Stonehill, which led 33-25 at the break after holding New Haven to just 25 first-half points, went ice cold in the third quarter. The Skyhawks managed only six points in the period, missing 10 of their 12 field goal attempts and committing five turnovers.

New Haven seized the opportunity with a 25-point quarter, completely flipping the game’s momentum. The Chargers attacked the paint relentlessly, with McDonald-Perry and Teaira Kelley combining for 14 points in the period. A 15-2 run over a five-minute span turned an eight-point deficit into a 43-37 New Haven lead. The Chargers entered the fourth quarter leading 50-39, having outscored Stonehill by 19 points in the third.

Stonehill refused to capitulate, mounting a fierce comeback in the final frame. Sparked by the playmaking of Julia Webster and the timely shooting of Phoena Dadson, the Skyhawks erupted for 22 fourth-quarter points. A 10-2 run, capped by a Dadson 3-pointer with 4:41 remaining, cut the New Haven lead to 61-59.

The Chargers responded with key plays from their leaders. McDonald-Perry, a 5-foot-10 guard, converted a crucial putback layup, and Lindsay Hogan hit four critical free throws in the final nine seconds to seal the victory. Hogan finished with 15 points, four assists and a key block in the closing minute, while Kelley added 14 points, all coming in the second half.

The first half belonged to Stonehill, which built its lead with balanced scoring and effective perimeter shooting. Brooke Paquette led the Skyhawks with 15 points, and Webster added 10 points and four assists. Emma Arcà hit two first-quarter 3-pointers to help Stonehill establish an early 17-13 lead after one quarter, which it extended by the break.

New Haven’s interior dominance proved decisive. The Chargers outscored Stonehill 44-18 in the paint and scored 21 points off 16 Skyhawks turnovers. McDonald-Perry was the catalyst, adding three blocks and three steals to her game-high scoring total, impacting the game on both ends of the floor.

For Stonehill, Paquette’s 15 points paced the offense, with Webster contributing 10 points and four assists. Ella Pelletier and Breana Delaney each added seven points. The Skyhawks’ comeback attempt was ultimately undone by their third-quarter drought and New Haven’s ability to convert inside.

The game was the conference opener for both teams. Stonehill looks to rebound Sunday when it hosts Wagner. New Haven continues its homestand Sunday against Central Connecticut.