Four reach double figures, but Women's Basketball falls at SCSU

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut - The American International College women's basketball team came up short in a 77-63 Northeast-10 Conference matchup at Southern Connecticut State University on Tuesday, January 30.

AIC is now 11-9 overall and 6-8 in the NE10.

AIC won the opening tip and sent AJ Washington in on a quick run for a layup to start the scoring just four seconds in. Rhaymi Porter followed with a layup shortly after, giving AIC a 4-0 lead in the first half minute.

The Owls quickly bounced back, scoring the next nine, but the Yellow Jackets had a run of their own, with three buckets by Nora Young and one by Ahliya Phillips to put AIC back ahead 12-11. However, a foul with no time left on the clock allowed Rheyna Steinauer to take two free throws, which she hit to give the Owls a 13-12 lead after one.

Kayla Robinson drilled two early threes in the second, putting AIC back in control, and a back-and-forth later in the frame saw the lead change four times in four possessions, with Ruzgar Christina Boyle and Briana Lee hitting a two and a three to counter the Owls hitting the same. Lee and Boyle pushed AIC ahead again later in the period, and Phillips sank a three with 15 seconds to go to give AIC a 32-30 lead, but once again the Owls drew free throws with no time left on the clock, and tied the game going into the break.

The third quarter was controlled by the Owls. AIC fell behind early, and while the Yellow Jackets tied the game at several points, they never led, and an eight-point run late pushed the home side to a 53-46 lead.

Southern Connecticut finished strong, outscoring AIC 24-17 in the final frame for the 77-63 win.

AIC's offense was led by Lee's 13; she completed a double-double with 10 rebounds. Robinson notched 12, Young scored 11, and Boyle added 10. Porter added six points to nine rebounds and three blocks, while Phillips also scored nine. 

The Yellow Jackets return to the Butova Gymnasium for their Coaches vs. Cancer game against Franklin Pierce University on Saturday, February 3 at 1:30 p.m.