Men's Basketball falls to Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut - The American International College men's basketball team lost an 87-75 contest at the University of Bridgeport on Saturday, December 9.

AIC is now 4-6 overall.

The Purple Knights started the game on a 3-0 run before Justice Ellison knocked down a three off of a pass from Lovre Zaja. Aguibou Balde then cut the gap to one with a layup from Jacob Barnett, but on the next possession the hosts hit back with a three. Jalen Jordan had an answer, putting back a miss by Barnett to make it 9-7 Bridgeport at the first stoppage.

As the half wore on, the Purple Knights began pulling away; their lead expanded to double digits, 26-15, on a steal and score with 7:48 to play, and though AIC shrank that back to six with a Buka Peikrishvili triple, Bridgeport held AIC at bay through to halftime, taking a 35-28 lead into the break.

Early in the second, AIC looked as if it would get back to even; Ellison hit a layup, and shortly after, Peikrishvili counted free throws with a three to put AIC within a single shot just 2:18 into the period. However, the Purple Knights rallied, expanding the lead back to 10 and keeping it there through the half-hour mark. 

The Yellow Jackets battled, but the Purple Knights kept hitting shots, expanding the lead to as much as 20, and a late eight-point run was not enough as the home side won the game, 87-75.

Peikrishvili had a strong offensive game with a team-best 18 points, on 7-of-10 shooting including 4-of-6 from deep, while Ellison put up a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards.

AIC will next head to Goldey-Beacom College on Sunday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m.