WEST HAVEN, Connecticut- The American International College women's basketball team looked to extend its winning streak against the Chargers of the University of New Haven. Despite a late push by the Chargers, the Yellow Jackets extended their winning streak to five with a 65-59 win.

The Chargers held all Yellow Jackets in single-digit rebounding as they out rebounded the Yellow Jackets 43-20. Dana Watts had 28 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in the win. Imani Stepney added 12 points and five boards in 35 minutes of play. Rounding out the top scorers in double digits was Alyssa Guyon, with 10.

The first possession was not what coach Kristen Hutchison hoped for as the Yellow Jackets turned the ball over, leading to a Charger basket. Back-to-back baskets by Alyssa Guyon and Jayda Gilmore gave the Yellow Jackets their first lead of the night. With under two minutes left in the first, the game was tied at 15 on a layup by the Chargers. After two Charger free throws, Rashana Siders knocked down a triple and gave the Yellow Jackets the one-point advantage with 49 seconds. The Chargers came down and hit a jumper to give them the one-point lead after 10 minutes of play.

In the first 1:11 of the second quarter, the Chargers grew their lead to six, their largest of the game. A layup and and-one by Watts cut the Chargers' lead in half at the 4:05 mark. 45 seconds later, Watts was at the line shooting two, and she made both, and the Yellow Jackets trailed by only 30-29. Stepney found open space for a midrange jumper, as she put it through the bottom of the net and gave the Yellow Jackets the one-point lead. The Chargers took a one-point lead on a pair of free throws, but Stepney scored four points in the last 1:45 and gave the Yellow Jackets the 35-32 lead at the break.

As the third quarter played out, the Yellow Jackets were doing their best to make it a double-digit game. The Yellow Jackets had a nine-point lead three different times in the third, but could not get into the double-digit range. Stepney laid one up with three ticks left to give the Yellow Jackets the 52-43 advantage as they headed to the final 10 minutes of play.

The Yellow Jackets eclipsed the double digit lead mark with 8:35 in the fourth as Watts hit another close range shot. With 90 seconds left in the game, the Chargers made it a 10-point game on a fast break layup. Watts fouled Charger Allieyah Cubbage and Cubbage went to the line for two. She knocked down both and cut their deficit to eight points. The charge by the Chargers was not enough as the Yellow Jackets took the game by a final of 65-59.

The Yellow Jackets will next take the court on Tuesday, December 13 at 5:30 when they host Queens College.