Men's basketball comes up just short in double-OT thriller at Pace
PLEASANTVILLE, New York -- The American International College men's basketball team pushed a nationally-regarded team to the edge before finally bowing out, 85-84 in double overtime at Pace University in Northeast-10 Conference play on Tuesday, January 10.
AIC drops to 4-13 with the setback, including 2-7 in the NE10.
The Setters jumped out to an early 8-2 lead before AIC's first big run, which opened with a Justice Ellison jumper followed by a Jack Hall three; Jalen Jordan dished out an assist on both baskets. Jordan then countered a Pace basket with a triple of his own to tie the game, and Aguibou Balde hit on the next possession to give AIC its first lead just under 6:30 into the game.
After a low-scoring stretch that saw the game even at 14-14 just past the midpoint of the half, Carlos Hubb was fouled shooting a three and made two of the free throws, and Balde added a layup on the next offensive possession to boost AIC's lead to four. Shortly after, Jordan was fouled shooting a three, hitting the basket through the contact, and drilled the free throw as well. Pace closed back in, taking a 24-23 edge on a Justin O'Neill deep shot, but free throws from Kanye Wavezwa and another three from Hall put AIC back on top. Ultimately, AIC went to the locker room leading 33-30.
The first basket of the second half was nearly two minutes in; Hall stung another three, and after a Pace basket did it again to extend the lead to 39-32. Brandon Powell answered for Pace, with eight of the game's next 10 points, broken up only by a Hall jumper, to put the hosts back up one. Balde then slammed one in on an Omarion Jett-Dobbs feed, and then Lyron Bennett and Buka Peikrishvili traded threes as the offenses continued to flow. At the midpoint of the half, AIC led 50-49 following two Hall free throws.
Down the stretch, the teams continued to trade baskets; the game was tied eight different times over the last 10 minutes of regulation, and was even at 69-69. AIC had a chance late to win it, but a shot clattered off the rim, leading to overtime.
Pace quickly scored the extra session's first five points, but AIC would not be denied, as Balde hit a jumper and then Jett-Dobbs put back an Ellison shot to get the Yellow Jackets within one. Ellison briefly put AIC ahead on free throws, but a singular make at the stripe at Pace's end tied the game back up at 75, and the teams prepared for a second extra session.
An early free throw make put Pace ahead, but Ellison countered with a jumper. Pace continued to score at the line with two more, but Hall hit yet another triple, giving AIC an 80-78 edge with 1:36 left. Ultimately, Pace was able to retake the lead on free throws and a layup, and two offensive foul calls against the Yellow Jackets sealed their fate, as Pace escaped with an 85-84 final.
Jordan narrowly missed a triple-double; he had 14 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Hall was AIC's leading scorer with 22 points, hitting six threees, while Balde chipped in 17 points and six boards and Ellison added 14 points and four assists. Jett-Dobbs rounded out the key contributors with eight points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
AIC returns to action Saturday, January 14 at 3:30 p.m. against Adelphi University.