LAKELAND, Florida The American International College men's basketball team fell 73-70 to Eckerd College in a back-and-forth battle on Friday, December 20.
FAST FACTS:
Final Score:Eckerd 73, AIC 70
Record:AIC falls to 4-8, while Eckerd improves to 6-4
Location:George W. Jenkins Field House Lakeland, Florida
STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Shyheim Hicks: 19 points, 6-for-15 from three
Zekiah Owens: 12 points, 11 rebounds, four assists
Xion Golding: 10 points, 13 assists
Eckerd:
Myron Hagins: 35 points, 15 rebounds, 13-for-22 from the field
Malcolm Whitlow: 17 points, nine assists, six rebounds
Travis Bianco: 12 points, six rebounds
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Yellow Jackets won the opening tip and sophomore guard Zekiah Owens drew a foul on AIC's first possession. Owens knocked down both free throws to take a 2-0 lead.
- Redshirt sophomore guard Bane Terzic drove in the paint for a layup to go up 4-0. Eckerd quickly showed life and tied the game up at four after a pair of free throws and a layup.
- AIC proceeded to go on a 7-0 run to lead 11-4 with 15:20 remaining in the first half.
- The Yellow Jackets' lead grew to 11 points at the 12:16 mark, following a three-pointer from junior guard Jordan Vidal, but in a 10-minute span, Eckerd managed to tie the game at 27.
- At the half, Eckerd took a two-point advantage over AIC, 36-34.
- In the start of the second half, junior guard Xion Golding converted a layup off an Eckerd turnover to tie the game at 36.
- AIC was able to build a seven-point lead with 11:20 to play in the second half, but in just 76 seconds, Eckerd caught fire and tied the game at 53.
- Both teams began exchanging baskets and the score remained tied at the 4:46 mark. Eckerd broke the tie with a made three-pointer to start an 11-3 run.
- Down seven with 1:49 to go, Golding scored in the paint and Owens knocked down a free throw for the Yellow Jackets.
- Inside a minute remaining, Myron Hagins scored a clutch bucket for Eckerd to lead AIC by six. The basket gave Hagins 35 points on the night.
- On the next possession, junior guard Shyheim Hicks was unable to convert the layup, but Golding grabbed the offensive rebound and drew a foul with 42 seconds remaining. Golding made both free throws to cut the Eckerd lead to four.
- AIC was able to get a stop on the other end of the court and freshman guard Jalen Jordan buried a massive three-pointer to make it a one-point game with 18 seconds on the clock.
- Malcolm Whitload made a pair of free throws for Eckerd to lead AIC by three, but the Yellow Jackets still had a chance to force OT. Jordan was able to get a solid look at the same spot he made his previous three, but he put too much on it, as the Yellow Jackets fell 73-70.
UP NEXT:
- The Yellow Jackets remain in Florida for one more game against Florida Southern on Saturday, December 21 at 7:30 P.M.
STAY CONNECTED:
- For more updates on the men's basketball team, follow@AIC_MBBonTwitterandInstagram. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow@AICAthleticsonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAIC Yellow JacketsonFacebook.