SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American International College men's basketball team fell behind 21-5 to start the game and could never fully recover as it dropped a 63-54 Northeast-10 contest to visiting Assumption College Wednesday night at Henry A. Butova Gymnasium.

It was the first game of the season for the Greyhounds and was the first conference game of the season for the Yellow Jackets, who are now 1-1 overall this season.

AIC trailed 25-18 at the half after shooting just 21.7 percent (5-23) from the field and 14.3 percent (2-14) from downtown. The Yellow Jackets shot a much improved 41.4 percent from the floor in the second half, but were just 3-for-13 from three-point range.

After its quick start Assumption began to lose its shooting touch, allowing AIC to go on a 13-5 run over the final seven minutes of the first half to make it 25-18 in favor of the Greyhounds at the break. The two teams exchanged scoring bursts throughout the second half, but the Yellow Jackets were never able to make it less than a two possession game.

Assumption led 42-30 after a layup from senior forward Tim Beinert (Bellerose, Village, N.Y.) before an 8-0 AIC run that was capped by a three from junior guard Janek Schmidkunz (Berlin, Germany) to cut the Yellow Jackets' deficit to 42-38 nine minutes into the second half.

AIC was back within four at 54-50 after a layup from junior guard D.J. Gutridge (Neptune, N.J.) with 4:55 remaining, but Assumption then went on an 7-0 run, all at the line, to open a 61-50 advantage with 2:15 to go.

Beinert finished the game with 19 points and eight rebounds to lead the Greyhounds, while senior forward Ronson Quick (Marlton, N.J.) netted 15 points with seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Terrance Bobb-Jones (Wilmington, Del.) filled the score sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Junior guard Spencer Braithwaite (Dorchester, Mass.) scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Yellow Jackets, while junior guard Jason Perrier (Bridgeport, Conn.) added 13 points with four rebounds. Junior center David Campbell (Boston, Mass.) and Gutridge scored eight points each.

AIC will next host a non-conference contest against New York Institute of Technology Saturday at 2 p.m.