WALTHAM, Massachusetts The American International College women's basketball team battled hard but could not overcome No. 16 Bentley University, falling 63-58 in a Northeast-10 Conference matchup at the Dana Center on Wednesday, January 16.

FAST FACTS:
Final Score:No. 16 Bentley 63, AIC 58
Record:AIC falls to 9-8 and 4-5 in the NE10, while Bentley improves to 15-2 with a 9-1 conference mark.
Location:Barbara Stevens Court, Waltham, Massachusetts

STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Dana Watts: 21 points, 10 rebounds
Alyssa Guyon: 15 points, nine rebounds
Rashana Siders: 12 points
Jayla McDuffie: Eight rebounds

Bentley:
Victoria Lux: 17 points, five rebounds
Katie Meriggioli: Six points, 15 rebounds
Monica Viapiano: 13 points
Julia Ford: 11 points


HOW IT HAPPENED:

• AIC opened the scoring on the team's third possession of the game as senior center Dana Watts put home a rebound off a three shot by senior forward Alyssa Guyon. The teams traded baskets on subsequent possessions, but on Bentley's next opportunity, Watts jumped in front of a pass and laid in a fast break layup to put AIC up 6-2. Guyon added a pair of free throws to extend the lead, but Bentley responded with a five-point run that was ended with a Watts putback that pushed AIC to a 10-7 lead at the 5:17 mark.
• The Falcons hit a pair of free throws, but the Yellow Jackets had an answer as sophomore guard Nyrie Holliman hit the first three of the game. The Falcons then struck on the next three possessions to take a 15-13 edge, though Watts sank a mid-range jumper to even up the score. Bentley hit a three to retake the lead, and ultimately went into the break up 20-18.
• Watts tied the game with the first basket of the second frame, a step-back jumper, and Guyon hit a long-range two to put the Yellow Jackets ahead one possession later. Bentley hit two baskets to retake the lead, but Guyon sank a jumper on the next possession to tie the game yet again. Junior guard Rashana Siders hit a jumper to put AIC back ahead, but Bentley jumped ahead on an open three by Marissa Fontaine with just over four minutes left in the half.
• The teams traded baskets and the lead, with Guyon and Watts continuing to hit shots and both reaching double digits in points before the break; Guyon's three late in the half was the difference as the Yellow Jackets entered the break leading 33-32.
• Bentley opened the scoring in the third quarter at the line, tying the game and taking the lead a minute and a half into the period. That was the start of an eight-point run that drew an AIC timeout at 3:15, with the Falcons leading 39-33.
• Siders broke the Bentley run with a few impressive moves in the lane before sinking a layup, but the Falcons continued to grow the lead as they hit several more baskets to go up 43-37 with 3:24 left in the frame. AIC hit a few shots, but the Falcons took a 50-40 edge into the final frame.
• Bentley added to the lead with the first basket of the fourth, but Siders hit back-to-back shots to force the Falcons to take a timeout with 7:52 left in regulation. Both teams drained baskets to advance the score to 56-48 in Bentley's favor with 4:58 remaining. A pair of baskets by Watts chiseled Bentley's lead to just four only 70 seconds later, forcing the hosts to stop the clock.
• The Yellow Jackets pressed out of the timeout, and freshman guard Zoe Willis managed a steal, but AIC had a shot go in and out, and the Falcons rebounded and scored to expand the lead. Ultimately, Bentley was able to hang on, winning by a 63-58 final.

BUZZWORTHY:

• With another double-double, Watts recorded her fifth straight game with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, her 11th such game this season.

MILESTONE WATCH

• Watts is currently third in AIC history for field goals made with 669, sitting behind Selman (827) and Juana Garcia (894).
• Watts is in sole possession of the free throws made record with 564 in just 106 games. Current AIC head coachKristen Hutchisonis second on the list with 511 made free throws in 120 games.
• Watts is second in defensive rebounds with 691, behind Garcia, who holds the record AIC record with 726.
• Watts is seventh all-time in offensive rebounds with 339, eighth in blocks with 120, and 11^thin minutes played with 3,045.

NEXT UP:

• AIC returns to action on Saturday, January 19 at 1:30 p.m. in Manchester, New Hampshire as the Yellow Jackets visit conference foe Saint Anselm.

STAY CONNECTED:

• For more updates about the AIC women's basketball team, follow@AICWBBonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAIC Women's BasketballonFacebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow@AICAthleticsonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAIC Yellow JacketsonFacebook.