Men's Basketball handles business against SNHU

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The last time the American International College men's basketball team faced Southern New Hampshire University, the Yellow Jackets gave back a double-digit halftime lead. 

This time, they wrote a different ending, outscoring the Penmen in both halves of their second Northeast-10 Conference meeting for a 70-56 victory on Wednesday, February 14.

AIC is now 9-15 overall and 7-11 in the NE10.

The first four minutes belonged to Lovre Zaja; normally the team's primary playmaker, he opted to fire early and often, knocking down a trio of deep shots to help AIC to an early 11-2 lead.

Both teams opened up from there, with buckets from deep by both sides. Justice Ellison landed one for AIC, while Alex Rivera put one through for the Penmen just past the period's midpoint to cut AIC's edge to 18-15. The Yellow Jackets re-extended the lead in part on a Jalen Jordan triple and a Jacob Barnett and-one. Matt Becht countered that with a three for the visitors, and ultimately AIC led 31-23 at halftime. 

Out of the stoppage, the lead fluctuated between six and 10 for AIC as both teams had successful offensive possessions, but the Yellow Jackets finally found some stops on defense, holding the Penmen without a field goal for nearly five minutes in the middle of the frame; in a 4:55 span, the Yellow Jacket lead ballooned from 10 to 19, and even though Becht broke the run with a three, Barnett notched another and-one on the next possession, scoring through contact by Becht. 

While AIC never led by 20, the Penmen did not cut the gap to less than 10 again over the final nine minutes; Ellison took over the offensive performance down the stretch, while the defense, led by several blocks and rebounds by Aguibou Balde, smothered the opposing attack en route to the 70-56 win.

Ellison put up another 25 for his fourth-straight 25-point showing, and narrowly missed a double-double with nine boards. Balde reached 10 rebounds, along with four assists and three blocks, while Barnett had 12 points and Jordan 10. 

AIC will try to keep the success going on Saturday, February 17, with a 3:30 p.m. tipoff at the University of New Haven.