SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts The American International College men's basketball team opened the 2020-21 season with a matchup against #10 Mercyhurst University on Friday, January 29. The Yellow Jackets and Lakers were neck-and-neck for most of the game, but the visitors came out on top 87-75.



FAST FACTS:
Final Score:#10 Mercyhurst 87, AIC 75
Record:AIC falls to 0-1, while #10 Mercyhurst moves to 5-0
Location:Henry A. Butova Gym Springfield, Massachusetts

STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Shyheim Hicks: 17 points, three rebounds, four-of-six from three
Donovan Miller: 14 points three rebounds, three steals, two assists, two-of-three from three
Tyrae Washington: 10 points, four rebounds

#10 Mercyhurst:
Danny Ogele: 18 points, eight rebounds, seven-of-seven from the field
Zach McIntire: 15 points, seven rebounds
MiyKah McIntosh: 11 points, three rebounds

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The visiting Lakers jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first minute as the two teams started the game with a quick pace. Senior guard Shyheim Hicks started the Yellow Jackets' scoring with a three off the pass of newcomer Donovan Miller.
• AIC trailed 13-7 a little over four minutes into the game but started to chip away to their deficit. Miller nailed a three from the right lane line extended off the pass from the block from senior Xion Golding to make it a one possession game. Almost a minute later Hicks drilled his second three of the game to knot the score at 13.
• Trailing 17-16 with over seven minutes elapsed, Golding tipped in a missed shot to give AIC their first lead of the season. Up 20-19 the Yellow Jackets went on a 9-2 run over a minute and a half to take the 28-21 lead. The Lakers answered with their own 6-0 run to bring it within two.
• With just over a minute and a half left in the opening frame, the game was tied at 40 as Miller nailed a jumper between the left block and three-point line. Unfortunately, those were the last points the Yellow Jackets scored in the half as the Lakers went into the locker room with a 44-40 lead.
• After AIC scored the first points of the half, Mercyhurst's four games of experience this year helped them go on a 20-4 run in the next eight minutes to take the 64-46 lead.
• Head coach Andy Burkholder called a timeout to try and stop the run. It worked, as freshman Carlos Hubb found senior Jordan Vidal open in the left corner that jump started AIC. The Yellow Jackets grabbed an offensive rebound on their next possession and junior Franklyn Batista was able to get a layup for the second-chance basket. The run continued as freshman Tyrae Washington got his own rebound and sent it home with a monster dunk followed by Hubb making it a one possession game, 64-56, on a three from the right wing.
• AIC got with nine with 1:04 left in the game which forced them try and extend the game. Unfortunately for AIC, the Lakers hit five-of-six free throws in that time to take the game 86-75

UP NEXT:

• The Yellow Jackets and Lakers will tip-off on Saturday, January 30 at 1 p.m.
• Owing to continue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, spectators are not permitted for home games; the game will be available to stream on the NE10NOW Network free of charge.

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.