SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The American International College men's basketball team downed Pace University, 66-59 for a much needed win Tuesday night at Butova Gymnasium.

With the win AIC improves to 4-6 overall and 2-3 in the Northeast-10, while with the loss the Setters fall to 2-7 and 1-3 in conference play.

With just over two minutes on the clock in regulation and AIC trailing by one, senior guard Jason Perrier (Bridgeport, Conn.) knocked down a go-ahead three to give the Yellow Jackets a 59-58 edge.

At the other end, junior Bobby Harris (Berlin, N.J.) picked Setter point Denzel Primus-Devonish (Riverdale, Md.), leading to a Mark Ellis Jr. (Stamford, Conn.) circus layup up under the rim, extending the slim lead to three.

Ellis Jr. would put the game essentially out-of-reach with two free throws under a minute left for a win the Yellow Jackets needed to prevent a three-game skid.

Late in the first half, Harris rattled off nine straight AIC points on three baskets from behind the arc, giving his team its largest lead of the night, a 10 point margin.

The Yellow Jackets took a 32-22 lead into halftime, getting 12 assists on 13 of their field goals.

Junior forward Marcus Porter (New Castle, Del.) netted a team-high 17, while also grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out five assists. Ellis Jr. and Harris each tallied 11 points, while Perrier also finished in double figures with 10.

American International senior point guard Spencer Braithwaite (Dorchester, Mass.) recorded a team-high seven assists.

Pace was led by Primus-Devonish and senior forward Jonathan Merceus (Union, N.J,), notching 16 points apiece.

The Yellow Jackets return to action Saturday, December 14 when they travel to Albany, N.Y. to face Saint Rose in a Northeast-10 contest. Tip-off is slated for 3:30 p.m.