RINDGE, New Hampshire - Despite rallying from down 14 to tie the game late, the American International College men's basketball team fell 68-64 in a Northeast 10 Conference game at Franklin Pierce University on Wednesday, February 4.

AIC is now 5-17 overall and 4-8 in the NE10.

The Ravens opened the game with an and-one and built a 5-0 lead before back-to-back makes by Amadou Diallo and a Will Davis layup pushed AIC in front. Franklin Pierce answered with a 12-point run and grew its lead to 14 after a three just past the 15-minute mark.

The Yellow Jackets began pushing back into the game with threes from Blair Thomas and Coleman Hopson. Ultimately, AIC was able to cut the deficit back to just five, with Diallo scoring late in the half to bring the score to 33-28.

Aleksy Walczak landed a three to start the second, but the Ravens extended the lead back to 12 with a strong run over the next six minutes. AIC again pushed back, and three straight makes from range by Hopson, Chase Nelso, and Aguibou Balde tied the game with 4:54 to go.

The Ravens regained the edge with four straight points on their next possessions, and while the Yellow Jackets pulled within two several times, they were never able to tie the game again; Franklin Pierce hit two free throws in the final moment of the game for the 68-64 final.

Hopson led AIC with 16 points, with Diallo scoring 12, Balde 11, and Thomas 10. Abdullah Mahamed snagged 10 rebounds.

AIC next will face Assumption University at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 7.