MANCHESTER, New Hampshire In a wild, back-and-forth battle, Southern New Hampshire University defeated the American International College men's basketball team 88-81 in Northeast-10 Conference play on Wednesday, January 22.

FAST FACTS:
Final Score:SNHU 88, AIC 81
Record:The Yellow Jackets fall to 6-13 overall and 3-7 in the NE10, while the Penmen rise to 10-8 on the season and 3-7 in the NE10.
Location:Stan Spirou Field House, Manchester, New Hampshire

STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Bane Terzic: 22 points, 8-of-8 on free throws
Zekiah Owens: 14 points
Logan Santiago: 13 points, 3-of-5 from three
Xion Golding: Eight points, nine rebounds

SNHU:
Eamonn Joyce: 34 points, 15 rebounds
Michael Almonacy: 19 points
Corry Long: 12 points

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Redshirt sophomore Bane Terzic sank a three to start the scoring early for AIC, and senior Zekiah Owens followed two possessions later with a jumper to extend the lead to 5-0. Eamonn Joyce landed a three of his own to open the offense for the host team, which went on a 7-0 run to take the lead just shy of three minutes into the game. Owens answered with a one-handed lay-in and a pair of free throws to put his side back on top just shy of the four-minute mark.
• With the score 9-9 after the first media timeout, Joyce hit another triple for the home team to spark a 5-0 run that was countered by a layup by senior Goree Venable-Gonzalez. Senior Trevaun Hyatt hit a layup and drew a foul, and though he missed the free throw, he was able to gather the rebound. Neither team converted on their subsequent possessions, and the second media timeout came with the Penmen ahead 16-13.
• Senior Logan Santiago buried a triple to cut AIC's deficit to 17-16, and the offense continued for the Yellow Jackets with a putback by rookie Jalen Jordan. The Penman drilled a three to retake the lead, and both teams hit free throws before Venable-Gonzalez slammed home an alley oop to tie the game at 22-22. Jordan knocked a three in from the left to put AIC back in the lead on the next possession.
• The Penmen went on a small run to even the score, but could not take the lead, and a turnover at the top of the key led to an and-one for junior Jordan Vidal. However, SNHU did then wake up, landing the next five points to go ahead 30-28. Golding's jumper in the paint tied the game briefly, but a three from Joyce just as quickly untied it, giving the Penmen a 33-30 edge at the under-4 media timeout.
• The home side added to its advantage with another three out of the break, though field goals by Vidal and Terzic shrank that lead to just 36-34. Two possessions later, AIC was able to tie the game after Terzic hit free throws. SNHU missed its final opportunity, sending the teams to the locker room even at 38-38.
• SNHU scored first in the second half on two Joyce free throws, and he sank a three on the next trip down the floor, but Terzic hit a three of his own in response. A three by junior Shyheim Hicks leveled the tally at 46-46, but Almonacy hit a three at the other end to keep the score climbing.
• Terzic kept his hot streak up, landing a runner to tie things at 50-50, and then sank a jumper on the next possession to give his team a 52-51 lead. Joyce also remained exothermic, taking a bump to land a layup and change the advantage again. The teams traded more baskets, and the Penmen took a 57-54 edge into the under-12 media timeout.
• An Owens layup tied the game at 58-58 with just over 9:30 to play, and Terzic added more to the sheet with free throws. The Penmen once again answered with an and-one by Mikey Buscetto that sparked a 7-0 run through to the under-8 stoppage.
• Owens laid in a shot right out of the timeout, but the Penmen built their lead to eight with consecutive baskets and a free throw. Terzic hit a jumper that Ryogo Sumino negated with a three, but AIC was able to cut the lead back to five thanks in part to an Owens slam. At the final media timeout, the score remained 73-68 in favor of SNHU.
• Joyce made two free throws to keep the Penmen offense flowing, but Vidal sank a corner three to shrink the deficit to 75-71. After two misses at the other end, he drew a foul and hit both free throws as well. However, AIC never got any closer, as the Penmen hit free throws of their own down the stretch to take the game.

UP NEXT:

• The Yellow Jackets continue NE10 play against Bentley University on Saturday, January 25 at 3:30 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.