SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The American International men's basketball team upended 20th ranked Franklin Pierce Wednesday, 68-65 at Butova Gymnasium in a Northeast-10 showdown.

With the win AIC improves to 6-8 overall and 3-4 in the Northeast-10, while with the loss the Ravens fall to 11-2 and 6-2 in conference play.

The Yellow Jackets held control most of the way, only allowing FPU to take the lead on two occasions. The Ravens pulled ahead by two with 3:15 remaining in regulation, but junior guard Bobby Harris (Berlin, N.J.) hit a three on the ensuing possession to regain the lead with 2:52 left.

Harris would hit another deep ball just over a minute later to put AIC back up by one and they never gave the lead back.

American International led by as many as 14 in the game, but Franklin Pierce came out of the halftime locker room down eight and made quick work of bringing back the Jackets, bringing it within three points within four minutes of second half play.

Senior guard Janek Schmidkunz (Berlin, Germany) hit a few timely three's and finished with a team-high 12 points.

Harris and senior point guard Spencer Braithwaite (Dorchester, Mass.) netted 11, while junior Marcus Porter (New Castle, Del.) chipped in 10, he currently sits at one away from 1,000 career collegiate points, stemming back to his days at Goldey Beacom.

After some early first half foul trouble, head coach Art Luptowski went to his bench, bringing out freshman Ryan Yearwood (Flushing Queens, N.Y.) and Max Risch (Marion, Mass.). Eager to utilize their opportunities, both executed well on the floor. Risch finished with three, including a free throw and a shot off the glass as time expired on the shot clock, showing poise in the clutch.

The Yellow Jackets return to action Saturday, Jan. 11 when they travel to Manchester, N.H. to face Southern New Hampshire in a Northeast-10 tilt. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.