SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Southern Connecticut State University defeated the American International College men's basketball team 61-49 in a nonconference game between Northeast 10 Conference foes, spoiling the 300th game of the head coaching career of Andy Burkholder on Tuesday, November 25.

AIC is 0-5.

AIC was clicking from deep early, as Pierce Prendergast hit a triple and Chase Nelson knocked in two, giving AIC an early 9-4 lead. The Owls turned that around, and built to a 10-12 edge as Cherif Diarra scored an old-school three and then a regular three, but Abdullah Mahamed answered with a and-one layup to tie the game 12-12 and sank the free throw as well after the first media timeout.

The teams traded buckets and the lead, with the Owls taking over just after the midpoint of the half. AIC did not allow the visiting squad to pull away, however, thanks in part to back-to-back threes from Nelson again that shrank a seven-point edge to one, and though the Owls knocked in a three of their own before the frame ended, AIC only trailed 29-25 at the break.

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw a continued close affair; the Owls never led by more than five, and just prior to the midway point of the half, Aguibou Balde spotted Prendergast with a pass that allowed the newcomer to drive in and score to tie the game at 41-41.

However, the Owls countered with a three, and retook the lead on the next possession. It was an edge they never relinquished, pushing AIC to arm's length with consistent shooting, especially at the free throw line. The last field goal of the game was the one that gave the visitors their largest margin of the night, and cemented the 61-49 final.

Nelson led AIC with 14 points; Balde had eight, all in the second half. Prendergast put up seven points and six boards.

AIC will look to right the ship on Sunday, November 30 when the Yellow Jackets host Caldwell University for a 1:00 p.m. nonconference tipoff at Butova Gym.