Penmen best Women's Basketball in clash of NE10's leading scorers

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The stage was set for a heavyweight tilt, with an orange ball replacing the gloves, as the Northeast-10 Conference's two leading scorers met in American International College women's basketball's Briana Lee and Southern New Hampshire University's Adriana Timberlake. The two both blew past their already-impressive season averages in brilliant fashion, but Timberlake's Penmen found a way to win over Lee's Yellow Jackets, 84-76, in the matchup on Wednesday, February 14.

AIC drops to 12-12 overall and 7-11 in the NE10.

Each of the five Penmen starters hit a field goal before any player made a second, as Southern New Hampshire used a 10-0 opening run to build a 12-2 lead, with only Kayla Robinson scoring for AIC before Lee sank a three to turn things around. Rhaymi Porter hit two free throws and Robinson netted an and-one followed by a three, giving AIC a 15-14 lead. However, the Penmen countered with three triples, two from Timberlake, to lead 23-15, and the advantage was 26-17 at the first break.

The Penmen quickly added to the lead, but AIC mounted another charge that included a Porter and-one. Lee scored AIC's last seven points of the half, and the final 1:46 went scoreless, with AIC trailing 43-36 at the stoppage.

Lee, Nora Young, and Robinson each sank shots to counter Penmen baskets in the early stages of a fast-paced third, and Lee drilled a three to tie the game 49-49. Shortly after, she sank two free throws to push AIC ahead 52-51. Further threes by Ahliya Phillips and Robinson looked to give AIC separation, but the Penmen tied it up again and again, and the teams headed to the final period even at 61 each.

The back-and-forth continued, with the score still tight heading into the final five minutes, but key free throw hits down the stretch were the difference for the Penmen; Abby Wager went 8-for-8 from the line, adding to Timberlake's nine, while Lee's seven fourth-period points and five rebounds were not enough in the 84-76 final.

Overall, Lee notched 26, as did Robinson; Lee added another double-double to her ledger with 11 boards. Porter scored nine points with four rebounds and two blocks.

The Yellow Jackets next visit the University of New Haven on Saturday, February 17 for a 1:30 p.m. tipoff.