SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts Despite trailing by seven with under four minutes left, the American International College men's basketball earned its first win of the season, 79-76, over The College of Saint Rose on Friday, February 26 thanks in part to an 18 point and 18 rebound performance by junior Franklyn Batista.
FAST FACTS:
Final Score: AIC 79, St. Rose 76
Record:AIC moves to 1-4, while St. Rose falls to 2-2
Location:Butova Gym Springfield, Massachusetts
STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Franklyn Batista: 18 points, 18 rebounds
Carlos Hubb: 18 points, three rebounds
Donovan Miller: 13 points, three rebounds, three assists
Jalen Jordan: 10 points, six rebounds
St. Rose
Shane O'Dell: 24 points, five rebounds
Cartier Bowman; 18 points, five rebounds
Adam Anderson: 10 points, three rebounds, four assists
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The two teams met for the second time this week as the Yellow Jackets were looking for revenge for the 11-point loss on Monday.
- Freshman Donovan Miller started the scoring 28 seconds into the game with a jumper.
- Three seconds past the halfway point, freshman Carlos Hubb nailed a shot from downtown that gave AIC the one-point lead.
- Miller found himself at the line with 39 seconds remaining in the first half as he hit a pair to tie the game at 34. The Yellow Jackets thought they would head into the locker room with a tie game, but Golden Knight Tray Alexander had other plans as he hit a jumper with four seconds on the clock.
- The Golden Knights trailed 40-39 when a three by Adam Anderson gave them the lead. They then hit another three on their next possession to give them their biggest lead, eight, of the night.
- As the two teams entered the final four minutes, St. Rose had a seven-point lead. Redshirt junior Bane Terzic took a pass from leading scorer junior Franklyn Batista and found the bottom of the net from behind the arc to make it a two-possession game. The Golden Knights added two points on their next possession, but senior Xion Golding answered with a pair of free throws on the other end.
- Two possessions later, Batista grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up, made the basket, and drew the foul. He stepped up to the line and brought it within one. The teams traded free throws on their next possessions as the visitors led 76-75 with a minute and a half left.
- Batista's hot hand kept the Yellow Jackets rolling as Terzic got him the rock and he did the rest with a layup that gave AIC the one-point lead. The Yellow Jackets kept the defensive pressure up and forced a Golden Knight turnover as Hubb grabbed the ball and was fouled. He stepped up to the line and nailed both free throws to extend the AIC led to three, 79-76. On the inbounds pass, the Yellow Jackets had a tough call to make up three: foul, or to let it play out. Head coach Andy Burkholder chose the former and put pressure on Alexander with four seconds left.
- Alexander stepped up to the line for the one-and-one. He missed the first shot, but the rebound went out-of-bounds and was in favor of his team. St. Rose attempted to get the ball in, but it was stolen by senior Jordan Vidal and the Yellow Jackets secured their first win of the season.
COACH'S CORNER:
UP NEXT:
- The Yellow Jackets will hit the road back to Albany, New York to take on the Golden Knights on Saturday, February 27 at 4 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.
