PHILADELPHIA, Pa. The American International men's basketball team withstood a late Chestnut Hill rally to earn a non-conference road victory Friday afternoon at Sorgenti Arena, 68-67.

With the win AIC improves to 8-2 overall, while the Griffins fall to 3-7 with the loss.

The Yellow Jackets opened up a nice gap in the second half with a 12-0 run spanning nearly six minute of play. Backed by six Al-Shabazz Jabateh (East Orange, N.J.) points, AIC took a commanding 56-44 lead with 4:21 to go.

The Griffins trailed by nine with just 25 seconds left, but a layup and AIC foul helped them quickly claw back within a few possessions. Within 10 seconds Chestnut Hill was on the free throw line and missed the back end of a free throw, but got the offensive board and converted the put-back. On the next AIC possession, the Griffins stole the ball from Bobby Harris (Berlin, N.J.) and converted the fast break to bring themselves within one, but it would be as close as they gotas Griffin Billy Cassidy missed a desperation 3-pointer as time expired.

AIC junior Oscar Assie (Ansonia, Conn.) recorded his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 boards. Classmate Trahmier Burrell (Albany, N.Y.) led the team with 15 points, while Jabateh and Cameron Dobbs (Albany, N.Y.) chipped in 11 and 10 respectively.

The Yellow Jackets shot over 45 percent from the field in a game with just five lead changes. AIC trailed 33-30 at the break before the second half jolted them into a comfortable lead.

The Griffins were defended well, only managing 33.8 percent shooting, but Cassidy provided a spark off the bench with three 3-pointers. The Chestnut Hill bench outscored the starters 38-29.

AIC next hits the court Wednesday, Jan. 31 at Post University for a non-conference tilt with the Eagles. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from Waterbury, Conn.