WORCESTER, Mass. - After an 0-6 start, the American International College men's basketball team has gone 5-1 over their six contests including earning their first Northeast-10 Conference victory of the season over New Haven last week.
TRENDING NOW: AIC senior forward
Trahmier Burrell (Albany, N.Y.) is averaging 13.7 points and shooting 56.3 percent from the floor over the last six games to lead the Jackets offensive charge over that span.
ABOUT AIC: Winners of four straight and 5-of-6, the Yellow Jackets hope the recent success and stingier defense carries on as they head to the Northeast Division of the NE-10. After allowing 90.2 points-per-game over the first five outings, AIC has tightened it's defensive intensity, dropping their PPG allowed to 80.5 for the season, including giving up just 70.8 during their four-game win streak. Senior guard
Cameron Dobbs (Albany, N.Y.)continues to lead the team with 15.0 points, while Burrell has crept up with 13.1 points after his recent production.
DOUBLING DOWN: Yellow Jacket senior
Oscar Assie (Ansonia, Conn.) posted a quiet double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) in the team's win over Holy Family, his team-leading third of the season. Burrell has the team's other two and posted 14 points and 10 rebounds against Holy Family, as well.
SCOUTING THE HOUNDS: Assumption's lone win over the last six games came to regional power Philadelphia in late December, 83-73,in an up-and-down start for the Hounds. Declan Soukup paces the offense with 16.3 points and grabs a team-best 4.4 rebounds. Assumption only comes up with 29.9 boards-game and shoots 43.2 percent from the floor. Springfield native Kamali Bey is second on the team with 13.8 points, while Reilly Reid also averages double figures with 11.0 a game.
THE LAST MEETING: Behind 13 points from Dobbs, the Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 42-24 halftime lead and cruised to a home win over the Hounds last January at Butova, 85-73. The AIC defense held Assumption to 8-26 shooting from the floor in the first half, but the Hounds responded with an 18-30 second half effort. Dobbs led all scorers with 29, while
Bobby Harris ('15) chipped in 21 and four steals. Assumption's Karl Ziegler returns as the highest scorer, he had 21 in the losing effort.
NEXT UP: The Yellow Jackets head to Southern New Hampshire University Sunday, Jan. 10 for a NE-10 clash with the Penmen. Tip-off is slated for 3:30 p.m. from Manchester, N.H.
