SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts The American International College women's basketball team was victorious over the visiting Purple Knights from St. Michael's, winning 77-44.

Sophomore Dana Watts set a new career high of 35 points while adding 15 boards in 31 minutes of play. Nadia Wooten was the only other Yellow Jacket in double figures with 10 points. She also chipped in seven boards.

The Yellow Jackets came out of a gritty first quarter up five, starting the first quarter draining seven straight uncontested points before the Purple Knights were able to put four on the board started with a free throw by Maddy Bennett. Watts was the sole provider of offense, putting up all 11 points for the Yellow Jackets, as AIC took an 11-6 first quarter lead. Watts was also able to snag five rebounds, and Imani Stepney and Rashana Siders both had two.

The Jackets and Purple Knights traded baskets to begin the second quarter and put the score to 15-11 before Siders was able to hit a deep 3-point shot and Watts hit a contested jumper to put the Jackets up 10. Emily Ferreri came alive for St. Michael's in the second, as she finished the first half with nine points, all coming in the second quarter. Watts was able to give the Jackets an 11-point lead at the buzzer with a last-second layup, putting the Jackets up 30-19 going into the half.

Nadia Wooten helped the Jackets pick up where they left off with a quick three before the Purple Knights knocked down two straight jump shots by Tomi Akinpetide. St. Michael's was able to cut the lead to eight, before Watts then responded with back-to-back layups and a free throw to put the Jackets back up by 15. With the quarter coming to an end, Akinpetide put three points on the board for St. Michael's courtesy of a fouled jump shot and the extra point. With 27 seconds left, Stepney sank two free throws to put the Jackets up by 20 points to end the third quarter.

AIC started the fourth with four quick points, with Stepney adding two on free throws and then Jayda Gilmore making an easy layup. St. Michael's would try and make things interesting with two straight layups made by Ferreri and Akinpetide and a jump shot hit by Spencer. After the brief surge by the Purple Knights, the Yellow Jackets came out in full swarm, scoring 13 straight points en route to the win.

The Yellow Jackets are back at it on Tuesday, February 1 at 5:30 p.m., as they play host to the Chargers of the University of New Haven.