SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College women's basketball team started 2025 off on a high note, overcoming a fourth-quarter deficit to down Saint Michael's College 56-55 in Northeast-10 Conference play on Thursday, January 2.

AIC is now 8-5 overall and 1-4 in the NE10.

Ruzgar Christina Boyle scored the game's first four points, on a pair of free throws and a field goal, and a swipe-and-score for Chelsea Reeves turned into three when she was fouled on her layup and hit the bonus shot. Keyvanna Bennett notched a pair of shots as well later in the first, and Boyle set up Ahliya Phillips for a basket that gave AIC a 14-5 lead just past midway through the frame. The Purple Knights were able to cut back the deficit, drawing within one before a three and a two by Phillips reestablished AIC's control. The Yellow Jackets, who finished the period with a Reeves basket, led 21-16 at the first break.

The Purple Knights turned it around on AIC in the second, roaring to a 25-21 lead by holding the Yellow Jackets off the board entirely for the first five minutes before Bennett finally ended the drought. AIC did tie the game up shortly after, and the teams traded baskets through the remaining part of the half, with a last-second Bennett putback, carried a 32-32 tie into the locker room.

Rhaymi Porter and Reeves each scored to start the third, but the rest of the period belonged to the guests, who took the lead and held it for most of the frame, and extended it at the last moment as Bella Franchi landed a three with no time left for a 46-42 Purple Knights lead.

Neither team scored in the first two minutes of the final frame before Phillips broke the stalemate with a brilliant read on a pass at the top of the key that she was able to jump through and take for a breakaway layup. Saint Michael's responded with the next five to lead 51-44, and threatened to run away with the game, but Reeves notched five of her own to pull AIC back within a shot. The Yellow Jackets then took the lead on free throws; Reeves made one and Bennett was fouled grabbing the rebound when the second missed, knocking in both to put AIC ahead 54-53. Brianna Furch hit a shot to put the Purple Knights up in the final minute, but Boyle sank two free throws on the next possession, and the Yellow Jackets made two stops to seal the win, with a Furch desperation heave falling short as time expired.

Bennett, Reeves, and Phillips were all in triple digits, with 15, 14, and 13 respectively, while Porter grabbed 13 boards along with four assists and three blocks. Eden Monka snagged a further nine rebounds.

AIC will hit the road for a Sunday matinee at Franklin Pierce University on January 5 at 1:30 p.m.