Recap by Student-Staff Writer Colin Struckman 

RINDGE, N.H. (11/16/24) – Despite a back-and-forth battle until the end with the New Haven Chargers, the Ravens came up just short as they fell 81-75 in their home and NE-10 opener at The Fieldhouse.  

Score: New Haven 81, Franklin Pierce 75 

Records: New Haven (2-1, 1-0 NE-10), Franklin Pierce (0-4, 0-1 NE-10) 

Location: The Fieldhouse, Rindge, N.H. 

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Ravens started out the game strong. Junior forward Demariontay Hall (Atlanta, Ga.) drilled a jumper to begin the game and graduate guard Donte Pope (Middletown, Conn.) rattled off three jumpers in a row to give the Ravens the 8-7 lead in the early minutes. The Chargers countered with a jumper from Javel Cherry and a layup from Jah'Likai King, taking an 11-10 lead. The Chargers continued their surge with a 12-5 run to take a 23-15 lead over the Ravens. The lead ballooned to 12 for the Chargers as Ethan Simmon and Najimi George converted on a pair of layups to make it a 29-17 Charger lead. Despite the deficit, the Ravens climbed back into the game. It began with a layup from Demariontay Hall, then senior forward Ja'Keese Kemp (Lakeland, Fl.) drilled a 3-pointer to cut the Chargers lead to 7, making it a 29-22 lead. Donte Pope kept the momentum going with a layup as the Ravens made it a 5-point game. After a pair of successful free throws from redshirt freshman Nathaniel Smith (Toronto, Ontario), Hall laid it off the window and in for 2 and Kemp swished his 2nd three-pointer of the half, tying the game at 31 a piece. From there, the Ravens used a 10-8 run to give them the 41-39 lead heading into the halftime break, highlighted by a ferocious slam dunk by Hall and a late three-pointer netted by Donte Pope to give them the lead as the first half ended.  

• The Ravens opened the 2nd half right where they left off. Sophomore guard Thomas Prendergast (Bayport, N.Y.) drilled a jumper to put the Ravens up by 4, 43-39. The Ravens extended their lead to 8 after a pair of free throws made by former Raven Ugo Nwachukwu, as Ja'Keese Kemp continued his hot shooting by nailing a jumper and Donte Pope drilled a 3-ball to put the Ravens up 48-41. The Chargers began to cut into their lead, going on an 8-2 run to make it a 1-point game, with the Ravens in front 50-49. After a pair of free throws made by freshman guard Caleb Gatewood (Tampa, Fla.), former Raven Mohamed Traore buried a huge triple to tie the score at 52, capping off an 11-4 run for the Chargers. The Ravens countered with a run of their own, responding with a 10-6 run highlighted by a sensational dunk from Caleb Gatewood, which gave them the 62-58 lead. Both teams continued to trade baskets as Donte Pope converted on a pair of layups and junior guard Michael Myrie (Baltimore, Md.) also added a layup, but the Ravens trailed 69-68. The Raven offense stalled for the rest of the game, as the Chargers closed the game off strong with a 10-4 run. Junior guard Henry White (Simsbury, Conn.) gave the Ravens life by connecting on a deep three-pointer to cut the 4 for the Chargers, as they held the 79-75 lead. Despite the late prayer from White, the Chargers held on to earn the hard fought 81-75 road victory in NE-10 play.  

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS: 

• The Ravens shot 46.8% from the field (29-of-62), the Chargers shot 49.1% (27-of-55). 

• The Ravens shot 30% from 3-point range (6-for-20), the Chargers shot 29.2% (7-for-24). 

• The Ravens shot 68.8% from the free throw line (11-for-16), the Chargers shot 66.7% (20-for-30). 

• The Ravens outrebounded the Chargers 38-30. 

• The Ravens turned the ball over 15 times compared to 10 from the Chargers.  

• Donte Pope scored a game-high 22 points. 

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens have a quick turnaround as they travel to Dominican (N.Y.) tomorrow (11/17). Tipoff is at 4 p.m.