Women's Basketball surges late to surpass Post

WATERBURY, Connecticut - The American International College women's basketball team outscored Post University 43-21 over the final 13:38 of regulation to earn a 78-59 victory on Wednesday, December 11.

AIC is now 6-4 overall.

The Yellow Jackets started slowly, with Post building a 7-2 lead 3:30 in, but Ruzgar Christina Boyle converted field goal attempts on back-to-back possessions, and later set up buckets by Keyvanna Bennett and Eden Monka to push AIC in front 10-9. The squad controlled the period from there, thanks in part to three straight blocks by Rhaymi Porter, and took a 16-11 lead into the first break.

Sarai Gurley drained a three for the first field goal of the second frame, and a Peyton Grant triple from Ahliya Phillips at 4:06 had AIC doubling up Post, 24-12. The final stretch of the half belong to the Eagles, however, and consecutive threes from Post left AIC with the same five-point advantage it started the second with; AIC led 28-23 at halftime.

The Eagles continued soaring to start the third, taking a 37-35 lead on a Jayden Burns three midway through the period. On the verge of the game getting away, Chelsea Reeves pulled AIC back even, first with a three, then with a pair of free throws, and after a Heaven Morris swipe she broke away for a layup to put AIC back on top, 42-40, at the 7:15 mark. The rest of the third was all AIC, with Boyle scoring nine straight points to lead the way as AIC ended the third ahead 51-44.

The Yellow Jackets had no intention of letting Post back in the game again, scoring the first eight points of the fourth period in the first two minutes; Boyle hit a three, and then after a Post field goal set up Reeves for a deep shot, forcing an Eagles timeout. The stoppage did nothing to prevent AIC from keeping up the pressure, and Boyle and Morris hit shots to put the Yellow Jackets up 25 with 3:54 to play, the largest lead of the game. The guests cruised from there to close out the win.

Boyle put in a game-best 20 and added seven helpers in the win, with Reeves scoring 15 and Bennett 10; Porter notched 13 rebounds and five blocks. Morris impressed in her 15 minutes of play, with six points, three rebounds, and three swipes. 

AIC next plays Friday, December 20 at Wilmington University. Tipoff is at 1:00 p.m.