STATEN ISLAND, New York - The American International College women's basketball team suffered a 65-63 defeat at the College of State Island on Wednesday, December 17.

AIC is now 6-3 on the season.

The Dolphins roared out to an 8-1 edge and led by as much as 11 in the early going before AIC pulled back into the game with a six-point run, led by four Chelsea Reeves free throws. A later Peyton Grant three kept AIC in striking distance, but the Dolphins scored an and-one ust prior to the horn and led 24-16 at the first break.

Tia-Marie Martinez started the second with a triple, and though the Dolphins responded with a putback, those two points were the home team's only score of the frame. AIC went on a 13-0 run over the final 8:23 of the frame, including another triple by Martinez and six straight by Reeves to close the quarter. AIC led 32-26 at the halftime stoppage.

The third frame saw both offenses catch fire as the Dolphins woke up in response to a Reeves and-one with five straight, only to allow five in a row with Martinez splashing another three from Reeves. The Dolphins ultimately retook the lead on a three of their own as part of an 11-4 run to the midpoint of the frame, but AIC answered with six straight as Keyvanna Bennett, Jada Bryant, and Grant each made shots. The Dolphins pulled back within one on a late three, but in the waning moments, Martinez found Bennett open on the right wing and she drilled a triple as time expired, sending AIC to the final frame up 53-49.

Bennett also started the fourth with a putback, but the hosts hung on, tying the game on two different possessions only to have AIC regain the lead, with Reeves and then Eden Monka keeping AIC ahead with under four minutes to play. The Dolphins tied it twice more and then, on the final possession, were able to tip back a rebound as the horn sounded, stealing the 65-63 win.

Reeves led all scorers in the game with 23, going 8-of-11 from the floor. Bennett added 15 and a game-best eight boards. 

AIC will look to turn it around with two at home to close out the 2025 portion of the season, as the Yellow Jackets host Dominican University on Friday, December 19 and then Queens College on Saturday, December 20. Both games tip off at 1:30 p.m.