SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts The American International College women's basketball team finished its 2021 regular season strong on Saturday, March 6 with a solid 68-59 win over Franklin Pierce University on the team's Senior Night.

FAST FACTS:
Final Score:AIC 68, Franklin Pierce 59
Records:AIC finishes the regular season at 7-1; Franklin Pierce falls to 0-2
Location:Henry Butova Gymnasium, Springfield, Massachusetts

KEY STATS:
AIC
Sara Guntin Barriero: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Kayla Robinson: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Kyla Smith: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist

Franklin Pierce:
Sophia Holmes: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Ines Gimenez Monserrat 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Rylee Skinner: 11 points, 8 rebounds

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Much like in the first meeting between the teams, the two offenses struggled early to get points on the board. Senior Sara Guntin Barriero was able to put up points for the Yellow Jackets and assisted fellow senior Jayla McDuffie.
• Franklin Pierce was red hot toward the end of the first quarter. The Ravens went on a 16-5 run, making the score 21-9 heading into the second.
• AIC came into the second quarter determined to get back into the game, and a three from junior Kyla Smith sparked a 10-4 run that brought the Yellow Jackets back into the game.
• As the second wore on, the Yellow Jackets were able cut down the lead, with a three by senior Nyrie Holliman and three late points by sophomore Kayla Robinson as part of a run that brought the score to 32-30 at halftime in favor of Franklin Pierce.
• Both teams went back and forth to start the second half. Sophomore Kayla Robinson cut inside to the paint and finished with a nice layup to tie the game 38-38 early on.
• Guntin Barriero kept up the intensity for the Yellow Jackets as she intercepted a pass at mid-court and took it for an easy bucket with 2:23 left in the quarter,
• Smith also got in on the action at the end of the quarter; she grabbed the rebound from a missed shot and made the put back as time expired to give AIC a 54-50 lead headed into the fourth quarter.
• Smith started off the quarter with a hot hand, nailing two open threes as the Yellow Jackets went on an 8-0 run to start the final frame.
• Franklin Pierce was able to score a couple of quick buckets, but AIC kept its offense going as Guntin Barriero dribbled inside and hit a mid-range jumper to extend the lead to 10.
• The Yellow Jackets proved to be too much for the Ravens as the AIC earned the win, 68-59.

NEXT UP:

• The Yellow Jackets will watch the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 7. More information on the selection show will be shared on aicyellowjackets.com and our social media channels as it comes available.