Box Score

Bloomfield, N.J. - The American International College men's basketball team dropped a 99-83 decision at Bloomfield College Tuesday night in a non-conference contest. The Deacons improved to 7-2 with the win, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 6-5 with the loss.

Bloomfield shot 50.7 percent (37-73) from the field, 31.6 percent (6-19) from three and 73.1 percent (19-26) from the free throw line, while AIC shot 44.1 percent (30-68) from the field, 22.2 percent (4-18) from beyond the arc and 82.6 percent (19-23) from the line.

The Deacons took the lead for good, 12-11 on a Chris Sampson (Philadelphia, Pa.) jumper 4:01 into the game, which also sparked an 8-2 run that gave Bloomfield an 18-13 lead at the 6:17 mark of the opening frame. The Deacons went on a 14-4 run to open and 18-point lead, 50-32, at the half.

The Yellow Jackets pulled back within 10, 84-74, on a three from junior forward #Anthony Thomas# (Baltimore, Md.) with 5:22 left in the second half, but Bloomfield answered with a 10-2 run to push its lead back to 18, 95-77, with 2:23 to go in the contest.

Junior forward Gage Daye (Newark, N.J.) scored a game-high 32 points with six rebounds and five assists to lead the Deacons, while Sampson, a senior, finished the game with 22 points and six boards. Senior forward Wilson Pilarte (New Bedford, Mass.) added 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, and sophomore forward Matt Wafula (Harlem, N.Y.) chipped in with 10 points and four boards.

Sophomore forward #Isiah Wallace# (Springfield, Mass.) posted a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds to go with three assists, three steals and two blocked shots for AIC. Junior forward #Allen Aragbaye# (Corona, Calif.) netted 18 points and Thomas added 14 points with six boards, four assists and two blocks.

Senior forward #Aikeem Vanderhorst# (Bay Shore, N.Y.) scored 14 points to move into 20th on the Yellow Jackets' career scoring list, surpassing Jorge Garcia (1,099; 1997-2001) and Greg Hill (1,091; 1968-70). He now has 1,100 career points and is 42 away from tying Roscoe Patterson's (1989-91) total of 1,142 points.

AIC will next host Post University January 2, 2010 in a non-conference contest. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Butova Gymnasium.