Second half surge leads Setters over Men's Basketball
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pace | 32 | 43 | 75 |
|
American Int'l | 33 | 32 | 65 |
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - A 15-2 run to open the second half was the difference as the American International College men's basketball team fell 75-65 to Pace University in Northeast-10 Conference play on Wednesday, January 22.
AIC is now 3-16 overall and 2-9 in the NE10.
It was a relatively even first half. Lovre Zaja impressed with perfect shooting to collect seven points and also snared six boards, while Justice Ellison led the game with a dozen points. Overall, the Yellow Jackets shot 52.0 percent from the field, negating a solid showing all around by the Setters, who had four players with five or more points. Zaja sank a three late off of a feed from Jack Hall to give AIC a 33-32 advantage at half.
The second frame was vastly different, as the Setters roared out of the stoppage in the first four minutes with 15 points to build a lead they would never relinquish. Trey Boyd III popped off for 16 total in the period, while Jaden Kealey added 10 more. Ellison scored another 10 for AIC, while Coleman Hopson shined with 12 to lead the Yellow Jackets in the frame, but AIC's rookie was countered by his older brother, Josh Hopson, who notched eight of his 10 in the second half to keep Pace on top for the 75-65 win.
Ellison's 22 and seven showing led AIC in both points and rebounds.
The Yellow Jackets return to action at the Butova Gym on Saturday, January 25 at 3:30 p.m. against Saint Anselm College.