COLCHESTER, Vermont - The American International College men's basketball team fell 88-78 to Northeast-10 Conference opponent Saint Michael's College on Tuesday, January 28.

AIC is now 3-18 overall and 2-11 in the NE10.

The Yellow Jackets rallied from an early deficit, as they trailed 22-13 seven minutes into the contest, but a Coleman Hopson triple set up by Justice Ellison followed by Ellison knocking one in himself on the following possession closed the gap quickly. Jack Hall then countered a Purple Knights three with one of his own before Chase Nelson finished a layup to pull AIC within one. Shortly after, Nelson and Tyrae Washington hit shots on back-to-back AIC chances, giving the Yellow Jackets a 34-33 advantage with 6:12 left in the half. Hopson extended AIC's lead to 41-37 with a jumper with 2:56 left in the half, but the Purple Knights scored the final six of the half to lead 42-41 at the break.

AIC retook the lead twice in the early stages of the second half, first on a pair of free throws by Washington and then on a triple by Ellison, but Rico Byrd scored seven points for the hosts in three possessions, putting Saint Michael's ahead 53-48 just past the five-minute mark of the frame. The Purple Knights never relinquished the lead again, keeping AIC at bay with strong shooting for the 88-78 win.

Ellison led AIC with 23 points, while Hall collected his first double-double on 15 points and 11 rebounds. Hopson and Washington scored 14 and 12 respectively, while Lovre Zaja dished nine assists and grabbed six boards.

AIC is the odd team out of the 11-team NE10 and is off Saturday before returning to action at the Henry Butova Gymnasium on Wednesday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. against Adelphi University. The team is hosting its annual Fight For Literacy game, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of childhood literacy.