Women's Basketball opens 2023-24 with win at STAC

SPARKILL, New York - A strong second quarter propelled the American International College women's basketball team to a season-opening 82-73 win on Friday, November 10 against Saint Thomas Aquinas College.

AIC is now 1-0 on the season.

After a quick start by both teams, Briana Lee's three-point field goal gave AIC its first lead of the season, 7-4, barely two minutes into the first. The teams traded deep shots, with the Spartans hitting a few more, to lead 17-11 after one.

In the second, AIC kicked into another gear. Kayla Robinson hit a pair of field goals to close the gap, and Ruzgar Christina Boyle nailed her first career triple to get AIC within one. Tia-Marie Martinez's three near the midpoint of the quarter returned AIC to the lead, 25-23, and she hit two more to help AIC expand the advantage. Lee closed out the scoring in the half with a jumper, sending AIC to the locker room up 40-29.

Martinez and Robinson each knocked down deep shots early in the third to keep AIC's roll on, and though the Spartans used free throws to cut down the deficit somewhat, AIC still led 58-50 heading into the final frame.

The Yellow Jackets closed strong, with threes by Robinson, Martinez, and Boyle landing in the fourth to lead the way to the 82-73 victory.

Robinson led the scoring for AIC with 24 points; Martinez added 19, with Boyle and Lee in double digits at 11. Boyle had five swipes, while Martinez also added four takeaways and four assists. Rhaymi Porter kicked in seven blocks and eight boards as well as seven points. 

AIC returns to action against D'Youville University at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11. The match will be hosted by Saint Thomas Aquinas.