Women's Basketball starts fast, stops Ravens for NE10 win

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College women's basketball team took advantage of a fast start to defeat Franklin Pierce University 76-57 in a Northeast-10 Conference matchup on Saturday, February 3.

AIC is now 12-9 overall and 7-8 in the NE10.

Ruzgar Christina Boyle set up Kayla Robinson to start the scoring, and Rhaymi Porter followed with a putback; Briana Lee then sank a shot off of a feed from Robinson to start AIC on a 6-0 run. AIC then held the Ravens without a field goal for over three minutes, building to a 17-6 edge. Lee ultimately ended up with six points, and Tia-Marie Martinez five, as AIC led 23-11 at the first stop.

In the second, Colette Mulderig of the Ravens began hitting shots, sinking seven field goals for 14 points. However, AIC's offense spread the ball around, with seven players hitting at least one field goal as the team shot 66.7 percent, and shut down the rest of the Ravens attack, holding everyone besides Mulderig to just two of nine, putting the Yellow Jackets up 41-32 at the break.

The Ravens started the third strong, cutting AIC's lead to just 44-40 as a three by Robinson was all that kept the guests at bay in the first three minutes of play. However, AIC adjusted out of a timeout, with Lee, Robinson, Martinez, and Ahliya Phillips each scoring in an eight-point run, and Nora Young finished a chance from Robinson after the Ravens had interrupted the streak. By the end of the period, AIC had rebuilt its advantage and led 59-45. 

The Yellow Jackets looked to close out strong, and took advantage of free throw opportunities as well as a series of field goals by Robinson. The captain set up Boyle for a three to push AIC ahead 74-55, putting a bow on what ended as a 76-57 win. 

Lee added another double-double to her resume with 17 points and a game-best 12 rebounds, while Robinson led the scoring with 19 points and also gave out five assists. Martinez chipped in 10 points off the bench, and Boyle notched seven points and also made six assists.

The Yellow Jackets next play Assumption University at home on Wednesday, February 7 at 5:30 p.m.