SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College women's basketball team picked up a win against No. 10 Adelphi University by a final score of 54-51 at Butova Gym on Tuesday, February 21, in its final regular-season home game.
The game was a memorable one, with the team's seniors, Tanisha Moyer and Imani Stepney, being recognized pregame for Senior Night. With both teams sitting atop their division - Adelphi came into the game as the first-place team of the Southwest Division of the Northeast-10 Conference with a record of 18-1, while AIC was second in the division with a record of 13-6 - both teams looked to improve their tournament chances, and it was the Yellow Jackets who had the edge on the evening.
With roughly five seconds remaining in the game, Stepney was forced to dribble back out and reverse the ball to an open Destine Perry, who was about two feet behind the three-point line. She didn't have time to step closer, and instead, she launched the deep three and banked it home at the buzzer, capping off a perfect senior night and sending the senior class out with a bang.
AIC was carried by Dana Watts, who finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, giving her her 18th double-double this season. She got some help along the way from Stepney, who chipped in with nine points and seven rebounds, and Perry, who totaled five points and six assists.
First-place Adelphi was led by Sierra Clark who finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds. She got some help from her supporting cast as well. Julia Gneiser joined the double-digit point club with 11 points and also led the team in assists with three. Cali Balfour had a good game for the visitors as well, finishing the night with 11 points and four rebounds.
The game was close for its entirety. AIC's largest lead was with 42 seconds left in the first when they led 18-13; Adelphi's was by eight points when they led 35-27 with 8:49 left to play in the third.
It was at this point that AIC got itself back into the game. Rashana Siders got things started with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to five, and on the next possession, Watts scored a layup to make it a one-possession game. After another stop, Moyer scored a layup and it was a one-point game. Perry assisted on every basket of AIC's 7-0 run, and Adelphi was forced to call atimeout, but it was never able to gain control of the game again.
AIC finally got the lead back with 56 seconds left in the third off a jumper from Stepney that made it 42-40. Watts closed out the quarter with two free throws and AIC went into the fourth quarter leading, 44-40.
The game was back and forth for the fourth quarter, featuring three ties and two lead changes there was a total of nine ties and 12 lead changes on the night but it was the last lead change that was the best one.
After a rebound by Stepney with 26 seconds to go AIC called timeout. They drew up a play where they looked to get the ball inside to Watts but Adelphi had it covered, with Perry draining the buzzer-beating three for the victory.
AIC will return to Butova for a quarterfinal matchup of the NE10 Tournament on Sunday, February 26, against Saint Anselm College. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
