WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – The American International College men's basketball team came out short in an 85-66 contest against Saint Leo University on Friday, December 19.

AIC is now 2-9 overall.

The Lions scored the first five points of the game and eight of the first 10, but two makes by Coleman Hopson and an and-one by Tony Felder helped AIC keep it close before Amadou Diallo made back-to-back shots, then stole the ball and sent Hopson in on a breakaway to give AIC a 13-11 lead at the 7:30 mark.

Hopson kept AIC's run going with another steal-and-score, this time doing both sides of the play, and after two free throws by the Lions broke the run, Blair Thomas knocked in a three to extend AIC's lead to five. However, the Lions responded with 15 straight before AIC's next bucket, and with five minutes left in the half, AIC trailed by 13.

At risk of completely falling out of contention, the Yellow Jackets responded. Aleksy Walczak nailed a three, Diallo swiped the ball and scored through contact, adding another on the free throw, then set up Thomas for a triple. Later in the frame, Walczak struck again, hitting from range and drawing a foul, allowing the newcomer to complete the rare four-point play. He added two more before the break, and AIC went to the locker room down just 41-40.

Unfortunately for AIC, the Lions were able to effectively regroup at the break. They scored the first eight points of the second half, and before the 4:30 mark had reextended the lead to 14 at 56-42 as part of a 17-2 run. AIC never was able to bring the game back within a 10-point margin, and the Lions hit shots and free throws down the stretch to take the 85-66 win.

Hopson led AIC with 18 points, while Thomas scored 15 and Walczak added 13. Diallo had an impressive showing, with nine points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals.

AIC will play the final game of 2025 on New Year's Eve, as they visit Bloomfield College for a 2:00 p.m. tipoff.