Men's basketball edges past Saint Michael's
COLCHESTER, Vermont -- It came down to the final shot, but the American International College men's basketball team held on for a 59-58 win at Saint Michael's College in Northeast-10 Conference play on Saturday, December 3.
AIC improves to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in the NE10.
The Purple Knights had possession of the ball down one with 13 seconds to go and called a timeout to plan a winning play. They succeeded at inbounding, but AIC's defense came up clutch, with Jack Hall swiping a pass by diving along the sideline with three seconds left. He called timeout, and AIC was able to inbound, forcing Saint Michael's to foul. Unfortunately, the free throw was missed, giving the home side one last chance, but the desperation heave missed as the horn went.
It was a back-and-forth game throughout. Jalen Jordan, Hall, and Buka Peikrisvili each hit AIC's first three shots, the latter being for three, to give AIC a 7-3 lead early, only to have Saint Michael's sink two triples to take the lead before Omarion Jett-Dobbs tied it with a jumper, all within the first three minutes. The shots for both teams went home from everywhere and everyone, with both teams hitting 14 field goals in the first frame, including a 4-for-6 showing from Justice Ellison that included a pair of threes for AIC, and three deep shots from CJ Crews for the Purple Knights. Saint Michael's took a 38-33 lead into the break on two more threes and three free throws, as the Yellow Jackets did not go to the line in the first half.
Jordan and Hall combined for six quick points early in the second to tie the game back up, and AIC's defense improved dramatically, holding the Purple Knights to just seven field goals in the second frame. That allowed AIC to take the lead ultimately at the 7:03 mark as Kanye Wavezwa buried a triple, followed by Jett-Dobbs landing a layup and setting up Aguibou Balde for another. Jordan added a trio of shots, and despite the Purple Knights having chances, AIC held to the lead over the final ten minutes to seal the win.
Jordan's 14 led AIC's scoring, with Ellison and Balde each adding 10. Ellison also grabbed seven boards for the Yellow Jackets, while Jett-Dobbs dished out seven assists.
AIC continues NE10 play on Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Le Moyne College.