WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — The New Haven women’s basketball team defeated Chicago State 63-56 in a nonconference game Thursday night at Charger Gymnasium. New Haven used a strong second quarter to build a lead and a 20-point fourth quarter to secure the win. The Chargers improved to 5-11. The Cougars, who lost their 16th game, fell to 2-16. Chicago State was consistent through three quarters, scoring 15 points in each, but was outscored 39-26 in the middle periods by New Haven. The Chargers’ Lindsay Hogan and Merit Innocent were key performers. Chloe Sisco led the effort for Chicago State. New Haven was projected as a heavy favorite by analytics systems. Attendance was 217.

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and offensive struggles, the New Haven Chargers used a decisive fourth-quarter push to pull away from the Chicago State Cougars, 63-56, in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at Charger Gymnasium. The contest, organized by the Northeast Conference, saw both teams labor from the field, but New Haven’s ability to generate points in the final period proved the difference. The Chargers outscored the Cougars 20-11 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory in front of 217 fans. Chicago State, which fell to 2-16, displayed remarkable consistency through three quarters, scoring 15 points in each period. Their defense kept them within striking distance, but the offensive execution faltered down the stretch. New Haven improved to 5-11 with the win, which was projected by statistical models with a 92.5% probability. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Leading 57-56 with under two minutes to play, New Haven sealed the victory with a 6-0 run, capitalizing on Chicago State turnovers and missed opportunities. The sequence began when Teaira Kelley converted a layup off an assist from Lindsay Hogan with 34 seconds remaining, pushing the lead to three. After a Chicago State timeout, the Cougars turned the ball over. New Haven’s Renelle Grannum was then fouled and calmly sank two free throws with 15 seconds left, extending the margin to five and effectively putting the game out of reach. New Haven was led by the interior presence of Lindsay Hogan, who played 40 minutes and scored 15 points while adding three assists. Merit Innocent provided a crucial boost off the bench with 13 points in 27 minutes. Their combined efforts helped offset a balanced Chicago State attack. The Cougars placed four players in double figures, led by Chloe Sisco and Keona McGee with 12 points apiece. Kyara Champagne added 11 points, and Kayla Mount contributed eight points and several key defensive rebounds. However, Chicago State’s offense, which had been methodical, stalled when it mattered most, managing only two field goals in the final four minutes. The game was a defensive battle from the outset, with both teams forcing turnovers and contesting shots heavily. Chicago State led 15-13 after a tightly contested first quarter, but New Haven grabbed momentum before halftime with a 19-point second quarter to take a 32-30 lead into the break. The third quarter was a low-scoring affair, with New Haven holding a narrow 43-41 edge, setting the stage for the decisive final period. Chicago State, which had snapped a long losing streak with a win over Stonehill in its previous game, could not build on that momentum. New Haven, coming off a loss to Fairleigh Dickinson, avoided a third consecutive defeat. The Chargers will look to build on this conference win when they travel to face Wagner on Saturday. Chicago State continues its road trip at Le Moyne the same day, seeking to find more consistent offense. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in Chicago on Feb. 7.

Preview: Chicago State Cougars at New Haven Chargers WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in Northeast Conference play will meet Thursday when the New Haven Chargers host the Chicago State Cougars in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game at Charger Gymnasium. The matchup features struggling squads, with Chicago State at 2-15 overall and New Haven at 4-11. Both are coming off weekend losses in conference action. The Cougars, however, enter with a rare boost of confidence after securing just their second win of the season last Saturday, a 51-48 home victory over Stonehill. Keona McGee, a player to watch for Chicago State, scored 11 points in that win. The junior guard has been a consistent presence, averaging 30 minutes over her last seven games and scoring a season-high 16 points against Clemson on Dec. 28. New Haven looks to rebound from a 65-57 road loss at Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday. The Chargers have shown flashes, including a convincing 70-51 win over Central Connecticut on Jan. 4. They will lean on guard Lindsay Hogan, who has been a steady offensive contributor. Hogan is coming off a 12-point, 4-assist performance against FDU and averaged 12.8 points over her last four contests. For Chicago State, ending a lengthy road drought is a priority. The Cougars are 0-11 away from home this season, with their last road game a 60-51 loss at Long Island on Jan. 4. Their offense has been challenged, failing to reach 65 points in any game this season. New Haven has found more success at home, going 3-4 at Charger Gymnasium compared to 1-7 on the road. Defensive consistency will be key; the Chargers allowed just 51 points in their win over Central Connecticut but gave up 80 or more in three non-conference losses earlier this season. This game is the first of a home-and-home series between the new conference foes. They will meet again in Chicago on Feb. 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.