SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts The American International College men's basketball team hosted Franklin Pierce University on Friday, March 5th. The Yellow Jackets took the game 88-78 thanks to a season-high 19 pts from
Walter Covington.
FAST FACTS:
Final Score:AIC 88, Franklin Pierce 78
Record:AIC improves to 2-6, while Franklin Pierce falls to 0-1
Location:Butova Gym Springfield, Massachusetts
STAT LEADERS:
AIC:
Walter Covington:19 points, 6-10 from the field, 4-7 from three
Xion Golding:14 points, five rebounds, 7-9 from the field
Shyheim Hicks:17 points, three rebounds, two assists
Franklin Pierce:
Sam van Oostrum: nine points, three rebounds, four assists
Maxwell Zegarowski: 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists
Mohamed Traore: 12 points, two rebounds, one assist
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Ravens got out to an early 10-3 lead 3:36 into the game as they were excited to play their first game in 366 days.
- The Yellow Jackets put themselves back into the game thanks to a three by senior Jordan Vidal followed by a quick layup by junior transfer Walter Covington and senior Xion Golding. Those three baskets gave AIC the 24-23 lead at the 7:19 mark.
- Both teams went back and forth for the remainder of the half until Golding put the Yellow Jackets in the lead with two quick buckets in the final 30 seconds of the half that gave his team the 42-41 lead after 20 minutes.
- After a fastbreak jumper by the Ravens to start the half, freshman Franklyn Batista nailed a jumper followed by a deep ball from senior Shyheim Hicks to make it 47-43.
- Between those baskets by the Yellow Jackets, the AIC defense, and the Raven's rust, the Yellow Jackets went on a 22-6 run over eight minutes and jumped out to a 64-49 that stretch, the Ravens shot 2-11 from the field, 0-7 from three and had seven turnovers. In that same stretch, Covington had 11 points while Hicks had six.
- The Yellow Jackets extended their lead with 10:36 left thanks to a layup by freshman Tyrae Washington giving them a 15-point lead, their biggest lead of the game.
- However, Franklin Pierce showed that they weren't going down without a fight, the Ravens were able to cut the lead in half with 6:51 to go to make the score 70-62.
- At the end of the game, AIC was able to come out on top with a win 88-78.
COACH'S CORNER:
PLAYER'S CORNER:
UP NEXT:
- The Yellow Jackets will head to Franklin Pierce on March 16 for a 7 p.m. tip.
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.
