Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Sophomore forward Aikeem Vanderhorst (Bay Shore, N.Y.) scored 19 points to go along with eight rebounds, but it was not enough as the American International College men's basketball team dropped a 77-58 Northeast-10 contest to the visiting Ravens of Franklin Pierce Tuesday night at Butova Gymnasium. The loss drops the Yellow Jackets to 10-17 overall and 7-15 in the Northeast-10, while the win propels Franklin Pierce to 10-17 overall and 6-16 in the conference.

The game was tied at 25 with 5:40 left in the first half before the Ravens went on a 9-0 run to open a 34-25 lead with 2:41 remaining in the first stanza. Their lead was still nine with 1:28 to go in the half but baskets from junior guard Vernon Dupree (Wilmington, Del.) and freshman guard Sesoo Ikpah (Williamstown,. N.J.) cut AIC's deficit to five at the break, 38-33.

The Yellow Jackets trailed by just three points, 44-41, 4:39 in the second half when Franklin Pierce went on another 9-0 run to open a 12-point cushion midway through the period. A Dupree layup and a free throw from junior forward Lucius Millinder (Beleville, N.J.) brought the Yellow Jackets back within nine, 54-45, but the Ravens responded with a 14-3 burst to take a 68-48 advantage with 6:31 to go and secure the win.

Freshman guard Kinard Dozier (Dedham, Mass.) led all scorers with a game-high 26 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field and a 9 of 10 performance at the charity stripe and completed a double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds. Freshman guard Jeff Manchester (Gorham, Maine) added 14 points and sophomore forward Terrell Ray (Brooklyn, N.Y.) netted 10 points for the Ravens.

Dupree finished with 16 points and five rebounds and Millinder chipped in with eight points.

AIC's three seniors, Tal Cohen (Hadera, Israel), Jeff Dosado (Montreal, P.Q.) and Quashaun Whitehead (Hartford, Conn.), were honored in a Senior Day ceremony prior to the game.

The Yellow Jackets will next travel to Stonehill for the first round of the Northeat-10 championship tournament Saturday at 2 p.m. The Skyhawks are the fifth-seed and AIC is seeded 12th.