BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut-The American International College men's basketball team opened their season with a tough loss against the University of Bridgeport, falling by a score of 80-70.

AIC's record is now 0-1 on the year.

Senior guard Juwan Moody opened the game with a splash, nailing a three; the following possession, sophomore guard Bruce Spruell took advantage of a steal under the AIC hoop to fast-break into a layup, and after that Moody drilled another three to give AIC an 8-0 edge less than three minutes in.

The scoring stagnated after several misses at both ends before Bridgeport's D'Vonne Trumbo buried a pair of threes. His baskets set off a torrent of scoring, with Moody burying another three, and with just under twelve minutes left, AIC's lead shrank to 13-12.

Later in the frame, the Purple Knights took their first lead, as Sharif Cobb stole the ball in AIC's end and ran length of the court to score a lay-in to give Bridgeport a 16-15 edge 9:50 into the half. Carlos DeJesus added a three from the right corner to extend the edge.

AIC took advantage of fouls to draw even, as sophomore guard Jayvon Pitts-Young sank four straight free throws to level the score 21-21 just after the twelve-minute mark, but Bridgeport scored the next set of points, including a Kyle Benjamin and-one to put his side up 26-21.

The Purple Knights continued to extend their lead, and a steal-and-score by Montana Mayfield put Bridgeport up 34-24 with 4:13 left in the half, and their next possession added to the lead as Sam Joseph hit a three.

Spruell broke a 6:32 field-goal drought with a layup, but Bridgeport pressed and built the lead to 41-26 with just over two minutes left in the frame. AIC ultimately ended the half down 43-28, surrendering 24 points on 15 turnovers.

Moody started AIC's offense in the second half by burying a pair of threes to bring AIC to within 11 at 45-34, and then after an AIC free throw, hit another to bring the Jackets within seven. He continued to sizzle, draining another long-range shot to cut the deficit to 47-41 before five minutes had passed in the half.

Joseph hit a three of his own to put the home squad up 50-41, and the teams traded baskets as Bridgeport rebuilt the lead to 53-43 with 13:10 to go, and UB built the lead from there; a pair of Benjamin buckets gave the Purple Knights a 64-50 edge with 10:10 left in regulation.

The result did not improve from there; Bridgeport took advantage of more AIC turnovers to lead 69-54 with 6:29 left, and Benjamin slammed a windmill dunk home with just under five to play to give the Purple Knights an edge of 73-56.

The Jackets finally cut into the edge again late, as junior guard Tahlib Swan scored a beautiful dunk off of a steal by Pitts-Young, and AIC had the next four points as well to bring it to 73-64, but DeJesus struck for three with just over three minutes left to stop the bleeding. The teams traded baskets to the end, and Bridgeport came away with an 80-70 win.

Moody led AIC with 21 points, on 7-of-10 shooting that included 7-of-9 from beyond the arc; Pitts-Young, Swan, Spruell, and senior guard Justin Daniel also broke double digits, and senior forward Max Risch led AIC with nine rebounds.

AIC returns to action Sunday with a 2:00 p.m. matchup against Holy Family, also held at the University of Bridgeport.