SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – In a game defined by end-to-end action at a breakneck pace, the University of Bridgeport narrowly defeated the American International College men's basketball team 100-98 on Wednesday, November 13. 

AIC is now 0-3.

The points piled quickly as both teams had double digits inside the first four minutes of play, and three threes were hit in the subsequent minute, with Buka Peikrishvili and Jack Hall knocking down looks to put AIC up 16-13 five minutes in. That lead ballooned to 25-13, with a three and a two by Bryce Simmons during the stretch, and just past the midpoint of the frame a Justice Ellison layup moved the Yellow Jackets into a 33-22 lead.

Over the next five minutes, AIC maintained its advantage, extending it to 46-31 with a Hall three with 5:30 to play in the half. However, the Purple Knights began to chip away, and a Gabe Charleston deep shot shrank the AIC advantage to 52-48. Both teams missed their final shots of the half, and the Yellow Jackets took a 53-50 edge to the locker room.

AIC went on an early eight-point run, with two Reece Brown buckets bookending a Peikrishvili three and forcing a Bridgeport timeout. The Purple Knights quickly undid the damage with a short run of their own, and the teams kept adding points. Hall and Ellison hit a series of shots to put AIC up 81-73 with 11 minutes left in regulation.

After a two-minute stretch without a field goal for either team, the visiting side began pouring in shots again, tying the game with 8:01 to play on an Amadou Traore rebound put-in. Bridgeport tied the game several more times after AIC makes, but the Yellow Jackets seemed to put the game in their control with six straight over 2:01 to lead 92-86 with 3:38 to play. 

Once again, the Purple Knights pressed hard, and a dunk by Aliou Cisse tied the contest; two possessions later, Bridgeport took the lead, and expanded it to 98-93 with 39 seconds left. Hall answered with an open three by Ellison, and Bridgeport missed both of its free throws on the next possession. Brown was able to draw free throws with 11 seconds left, and tied the game once again by swishing both.

Sadly for the home crowd, Bridgeport had one more possession and made it count, with Caleb Jones icing the game with two free throws in the final second to put the game away for the Purple Knights.

Ellison led the game with 25 points, while Hall had 20 and Brown had 19, the latter narrowly missing a double-double with nine boards. Lovre Zaja scored eight points with nine rebounds and four assists. AIC sank all but three of its 32 free throw attempts.

The Yellow Jackets hit the road for a five-game trip, opening at Saint Anselm College on Saturday, November 16 at 1:30 p.m.