SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - A second-half surge propelled Southern Connecticut State University past the American International College men's basketball team, 85-75, in Northeast-10 Conference action on Saturday, January 11.

AIC is now 3-13 overall and 2-6 in the NE10.

The Yellow Jackets charged out to an early lead, thanks in part to threes from Lovre Zaja and Jack Hall, and a Reece Brown jumper made it 10 for the Yellow Jackets before the Owls netted their first points. However, the Owls chipped away from there, pulling within a 15-14 margin before Zaja buried another from deep. Again the Owls surged, and again AIC held them at bay, this time with Chase Nelson striking from range; he hit another shortly after for a 30-23 AIC advantage. The Owls finally tied the game 36-36 with 2:44 to play in the half, but AIC scored the next seven, capped by a Tyrae Washington and-one, and ultimately led 45-40 at the break.

The Owls came out fast in the second, scoring three straight field goals to take the lead and force an AIC timeout. AIC missed on the next possession, but the two following were owned by Justice Ellison, who nailed a three to tie the game and then put AIC ahead with another. The teams traded scores from there, with Zaja sinking a shot from beyond the arc, and the Yellow Jackets led by five once again at 62-57 with 11 minutes to play. However, the Owls scored a pair of triples to regain the advantage, starting a run that saw them take a 71-62 lead before Coleman Hopson hit a jumper to stop the run. The Yellow Jackets could not get closer than within six again, and the guests walked away with a 10-point victory.

Ellison led the AIC side with 23 points and snared seven rebounds. Zaja scored 16 with eight boards and six assists, and Washington put up 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets next face Assumption University at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14.