WORCESTER, Massachusetts - The American International College women's basketball team opened Northeast 10 Conference play for the 2025-26 campaign with a smothering defensive performance as the Yellow Jackets defeated Assumption University 71-52 on Tuesday, November 25.

AIC is 5-0 for the first time since starting the 2015-16 campaign with a 15-0 run, and holds a 1-0 NE10 mark.

The first quarter was by far the highest scoring of the game, as the Yellow Jackets quickly jumped to an 8-4 lead with points from four different players. Near the midpoint of the period, Jemima Lacroix extended AIC's advantage to 14-8, knocking back an Eden Monka layup attempt. The back-and-forth continued, but AIC never relinquished the lead, and went into the break up 20-18.

The Yellow Jackets began pulling away in the second, as Ruzgar Christina Boyle hit two triples in a 12-2 run to build AIC's lead to 30-20 at the 3:32 mark. Assmption was able to close the gap late, pulling within five on a free throw and layup for the final three points of the half. AIC headed to the locker room up 37-32.

The third period saw AIC's defense shine. Though the Greyhounds did make a number of free throws, AIC held the hosts to just one field goal, and stretched the lead to 13 thanks in part to an and-one by Keyvanna Bennett late in the quarter. She had seven points in the period and Chelsea Reeves added nine, while the Greyhounds as a team only scored 10, and AIC had a comfortable 55-42 edge after three.

AIC did not let the home squad feel as though it had a chance to come back, controlling the fourth just as effectively. Reeves on two occasions extended the lead to 19, first on a late field goal, then on two free throws in the final minute. Bennett knocked down the final shot of the game for the 71-52 final.

Reeves led all scorers with 21, while Boyle added 15 and Bennett notched 14; both Reeves and Bennett grabbed eight boards. The Yellow Jackets held Assumption to just nine field goals and a 25.0 shooting percentage in the last half hour of play. AIC also dominated the netfront, winning the rebound battle 41-33, outscoring Assumption 32-20, and holding a 20-6 advantage in second-chance points. 

The Yellow Jackets close out the season-opening six-game road swing with a nonconference matchup at Post University on Sunday, November 30 at noon.