Struggling Teams Clash as New Haven Visits Central Connecticut

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to end difficult seasons on a positive note will meet Thursday when the New Haven Chargers face the Central Connecticut Blue Devils in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball matchup.

The game at William H. Detrick Gymnasium features teams with a combined 8-48 record. Central Connecticut (1-27, 1-14 NEC) enters on a five-game losing streak since securing its lone victory of the season, an 86-75 win over Chicago State on Feb. 21. New Haven (7-21, 5-10) has lost seven consecutive games, with its last win coming on Jan. 31.

Despite their records, both teams feature dynamic individual scorers who will be the focal points. Central Connecticut sophomore guard Kiyah Lewis is coming off a career-high 36-point performance in an 82-63 loss at Saint Francis (PA) on Saturday. Over her last seven games, Lewis is averaging 18.3 points, highlighted by three outings of 21 points or more.

New Haven will counter with senior guard Lindsay Hogan, who leads the Chargers and is averaging 10.6 points per game during the team’s losing skid. Hogan scored 18 points in a 53-48 loss at Le Moyne last Saturday.

The Blue Devils’ defense, which allows a conference-worst 71.2 points per game, will be tasked with containing Hogan and breaking New Haven’s pattern of close losses. Four of the Chargers’ last seven defeats have been by six points or fewer, including a 64-62 loss to Wagner and a 60-57 loss at Chicago State.

Central Connecticut’s offense runs almost exclusively through Lewis, who has taken nearly 30% of the team’s shots during NEC play. Finding secondary scoring from players like Nicora Patrick (10 points vs. Saint Francis) will be crucial.

New Haven won the first meeting this season decisively, 70-51, at home on Jan. 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.