OLD WESTBURY, New York The American International College women's basketball team had a tough night shooting, falling to New York Tech 71-35 in a nonconference matchup on Wednesday, December 18.

FAST FACTS:
Final Score: New York Tech 71, AIC 35
Record: The Yellow Jackets drop to 4-7 on the year, while the Bears improve to 7-6.
Location: Recreation Hall, Old Westbury, New York

STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Rashana Siders: Eight points, two steals
Kayla Robinson: Seven points

New York Tech:
Ketsia Athias: 14 points, eight rebounds
Meg Knollmeyer: 12 points, eight rebounds
Haley Dalonzo: 10 points
Julia Braungart: 10 points

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Bears jumped on the Yellow Jackets, scoring the game's first basket as Ketsia Athias hit a jumper on the first offensive possession for the hosts, and then Zoe Amalbert stole the inbound pass for another layup. That was the start of a 9-0 opening run in the first 2:27. The Bears brought the lead to 11 before junior Destine Perry hit a free throw at 4:28 to get AIC on the board.
• The home squad continued to build its lead as Haley Dalonzo hit a trio of free throws to go ahead 14-1 at the midpoint of the frame, and Shalie Frierson added a pretty layup on the next possession. Senior Rashana Siders snapped the Bears' run with a jumper to cut the disadvantage to 18-3, but Frierson hit a shot to counter on the next possession. At the break, the score was 20-5 in favor of the hosts.
• The second quarter had a stagnant start, with neither side scoring in the first two minutes before a three from Corinn Baggs added to the New York Tech lead. That sparked a seven-point run. Junior Destine Perry sank AIC's first three of the game at the midpoint of the half to bring the score to 27-8.
• Junior Asia Turner countered a Bears jumper with a three for her first points of the game, but the Bears smothered AIC's offense, and ended the frame on another run, with Knollmeyer throwing in a desperation shot to give her team a 35-11 advantage at the break.
• The Bears scored on the first two possessions after halftime before Siders hit a three. The teams traded baskets from there, with a three from the corner by Dalonzo at 3:40 extending the home team's lead to 46-16 and drawing an AIC timeout. The stoppage did not help, as Dalonzo intercepted a pass on that AIC possession and scored on a fast break.
• A Perry free throw only interrupted the run, as the Bears notched the next nine points; senior Oshinofa Lakoju hit a layup near the end of the frame to bring the score to 56-19 after three.
• Rookie Kayla Robinson hit a layup to start the fourth quarter and landed a runner on AIC's next possession to draw a New York Tech timeout. The Bears responded with four of their own, but Siders sank a three to keep the Yellow Jackets offense going.
• In the final five minutes of play, AIC trailed 66-26 following a pair of free throws and a layup by the Bears before Lakoju battled to get her own rebound and drew a shooting foul that she converted both free throws off of. The Bears landed a three on the next possession and held off AIC after that to win 75-31.

NEXT UP:

• The Yellow Jackets tip off against Daemen College in the Saint Rose Christmas Tournament on Saturday, December 21 at 3 p.m. in Albany, New York.

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