Box Score

Manchester, Conn. – The American International College men's basketball team suffered its fourth straight loss after dropping a 67-61 decision at Southern New Hampshire University Sunday afternoon in a Northeast-10 contest. Freshman guard #Ricky Hudson# (Sewell, N.J.) scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed five boards for the Yellow Jackets.

The Penmen improved to 8-6 overall and 3-6 in the NE-10, while AIC fell to 6-8 overall and 4-5 in conference play.

SNHU never trailed after freshman forward Hanell Velez (Woburn, Mass.) drained a three 7:40 into the game, giving the Penmen a 13-11 lead. The Yellow Jackets were down eight before senior guard #Mike Troll# (New York, N.Y.) hit back-to-back threes that were followed by a layup for junior guard #Kent Graham# (Kamuela, Hawaii) to tie the game at 24 with 4:56 to go in the opening period.

SNHU answered by closing the first half with a 7-0 run to take a 31-24 lead into the locker room. The Penmen led by as many as 14 in the second half and were up 56-42 after a layup from junior guard/forward Tory Stapleton (Rahway, N.J.) with 6:14 to go in the second half.

AIC went on an 11-3 run that was capped by a three from junior guard #Byron Richards# (Adelphia, Md.) to pull back within six, 59-53, but that was as close as the Yellow Jackets would get the rest of the way.

Senior guard/forward Stephen Wood (South Jamaica Queens, N.Y.) scored 16 points with five boards to lead SNHU, while sophomore guard Marcus Matthews (Valley Stream, N.Y.) netted 12 points off the bench. Velez added 10 points and Stapleton finished with nine.

Troll finished with 15 points and five assists for AIC, while junior forward #Anthony Thomas# (Baltimore, Md.) scored 10 points and grabbed seven boards. Senior forward #Aikeem Vanderhorst# (Bay Shore, N.Y.) posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.

The Yellow Jackets will next host Bentley University Wednesday in a Northeast-10 contest. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Butova Gymnasium.