SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - A tough second quarter was the difference in a 58-51 loss for the American International College women's basketball team against Pace University in Northeast-10 Conference play on Wednesday, January 22.

AIC is now 10-9 overall with a 3-8 NE10 mark.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter; Peyton Grant hit two threes for the Yellow Jackets, while Tower Lorde made two field goals for the Setters, and each team only scored one other basket in a frame that ended 10-10.

Pace kicked its offense into gear in the second, led by Lorde with six points and Ariana Stockinger with five. AIC shot just 13.3 percent from the floor and trailed 24-16 at halftime.

In the third, the Yellow Jackets started to come to life. Rookie Keyvanna Bennett scored 10 points, knocking down three shots in play and adding four makes at the stripe as the Yellow Jackets closed their deficit to 37-32 with one frame left.

Unfortunately for AIC, it was not meant to be. Despite seven points by Ruzgar Christina Boyle in the final period and six more by Bennett, the Setters were able to pull away with 21 points in the last 10 minutes to win 58-51.

Bennett notched her second consecutive double-double, leading AIC with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets next head to Saint Anselm College on Saturday, January 25 at 1:30 p.m.