Women's Basketball bounces back to beat New Haven

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College women's basketball team put together a complete game to defeat the University of New Haven 72-59 in Northeast-10 Conference play on Saturday, January 6.

AIC is now 9-3 overall and 4-3 in the NE10.

Rhaymi Porter started the scoring and Briana Lee followed with an and-one to give AIC an early 5-2 lead, and the floodgates opened from there. Kayla Robinson, Ruzgar Christina Boyle, and AJ Washington each hit field goals, with Boyle from deep, and Nora Young tacked on two free throws to put AIC ahead 14-3. The Chargers did cut into the deficit before the quarter ended with seven straight points.

New Haven carried the momentum into the early second and took the lead, but it was short-lived; Robinson and Boyle both hit shots from deep, ultimately returning AIC to the advantage, and Washington's steal-and-score fired the bench up. Tia-Marie Martinez then took over, scoring eight straight AIC points down the stretch to send AIC to the room up 35-25.

The third quarter was more of the same; AIC extended its advantage with 15 points in the frame, with only Lee scoring on consecutive plays thanks to a field goal and two free throws. Porter got it done at the other end with two blocks and six rebounds, and the Yellow Jackets controlled play heading to the final period with a 50-38 lead.

In the finale, both teams erupted offensively. The Chargers shot 75 percent, including nine points from Aurora Deshaies on 4-of-4 shooting, but the Yellow Jackets still outscored their opposition 22-21, as Robinson and Lee combined for 18 of those points. The final horn sounded with AIC on top by 13.

Both Robinson and Lee scored 17 points, with Lee grabbing seven rebounds and Robinson dishing five assists. Young and Martinez also both reached double digits, with 10 apiece.

AIC next visits Southern New Hampshire University on Wednesday, January 10 at 5:30 p.m.