NEW HAVEN, Connecticut - The American International College women's basketball team fell behind early and ultimately lost 74-59 to Southern Connecticut State University in Northeast 10 Conference play on Saturday, February 14.

AIC is now 15-8 overall and 9-6 in the NE10. 

Keyvanna Bennett stuck first with a putback in the paint, but the Owls scored 11 of the next 13 and then expanded the lead to double digits with back-to-back threes. AIC was able to shrink the deficit somewhat with a five-point run late that comprised of a three by Sarai Gurley and two free throws by Chelsea Reeves, but after one AIC trailed 21-13.

After a few early makes by the Owls, AIC went on another run in the second. Eden Monka started it off, and then Ahliya Phillips and Tia-Marie Martinez each landed shots from distance to pull AIC within four barely two minutes into the period. The lead ebbed and flowed from there, with AIC down seven, 37-30, after scoring four free throws in the final minute of the half.

The Owls began pulling away in the third, limiting AIC to just three points in the first six minutes and building its lead to as much as 17. Reeves did nail a three as the final basket of the quarter, but AIC's deficit through half an hour was 58-44.

A seven-point run early in the fourth, which included a three by Phillips, gave AIC hope, but the Owls finished strong, keeping the Yellow Jackets off the board in the final two minutes to ean the 74-59 win.

Reeves and Bennett led AIC's scoring with 17 and 16, respectively; Reeves also was the team's rebounds leader with seven.

AIC will play its final regular-season road game and look to clinch home-court advantage in the NE10 First Round with a matchup at Saint Michael's College on Wednesday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m.