SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College women's basketball team shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter to open up a lead it never relinquished in an 88-74 win over Southern New Hampshire University in Northeast-10 Conference play on Saturday, February 15. 

AIC is now 12-13 overall and 5-12 in the NE10.

Two early threes by Ruzgar Christina Boyle set the tone for AIC; she made another in the quarter, and Peyton Grant splashed a pair from beyond the arc as well, while Chelsea Reeves and Eden Monka both scored four points, including a last-second shot that gave the Yellow Jackets a 27-14 lead after one.

While AIC took control by making 10 shots in the first, the Penmen closed the gap with a similarly-strong second. Ava Winterburn and Samantha Pfeil led the SNHU offense with two threes each, and the visiting squad went eight-of-eight at the line as well, posting 28 total points in the frame. However, AIC was able to maintain its lead thanks to eight points by Reeves, seven by Boyle, and Sarai Gurley knocking down two shots from deep. The Yellow Jackets led 48-42 at halftime.

In the third, Meghan Gordon scored nine for the Penmen, but AIC was able to add to its lead thanks to more balanced scoring; Ahliya Phillips notched seven, while Rhaymi Porter and Keyvanna Bennett each put home a pair of chances, putting AIC up 66-58 with 10 minutes left. 

Reeves helped AIC put the game away in the final period, scoring 10 points to keep the Penmen at bay. AIC posted 22 overall, exactly one quarter of its total, in the final quarter to seal the 88-74 win.

Bennett added to her Rookie of the Year candidate resume with yet another double-double on 12 points and 11 rebounds. Reeves led the game with 25 points, while Boyle added 11, and Gurley and Phillips each scored nine.

The team returns to action with its final regular season road game, a 5:30 p.m. tip-off at Assumption University on Wednesday, February 19.