Yale takes early lead, beats New Hampshire 71-61

Dec 7, 2013, 06:57 pm

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Justin Sears scored a game-high 19 points and finished with 12 rebounds on Saturday as Yale jumped out to a large lead at the half and beat New Hampshire 71-61.

Sears shot 75 percent (6 of 8) from the floor and 7 of 10 from the free throw line. Yale led by 16 at the half, and it was enough to carry the Bulldogs to victory after being outscored by the Wildcats 47-41 in the final 20 minutes. Brandon Sherrod finished with 18 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (5-4).

Patrick Konan was the only Wildcat to score in double figures, finishing with 14 points and a team-high five rebounds. Chris Pelcher, New Hampshire's leading scorer and rebounder, was out with an injury.

Both teams combined for 49 fouls -- Yale made 26 points from the line while the Wildcats (2-6) scored 20.