Le Moyne Holds On for 89-83 Men's Basketball Over AIC
Syracuse, N.Y. - The American International College men's basketball team closed the game on a 12-5 run but were unable to overcome a late 16-points deficit as Le Moyne held on for an 89-83 victory. The Yellow Jackets fell to 3-6 on the season and 2-5 in the Northeast-10, while the Dolphins improved to 5-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Sophomore forward Aikeem Vanderhorst (Bay Shore, N.Y.) scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for AIC.
The Yellow Jackets opened the game with a 13-2 run over the first 5:12 of the game, but Le Moyne responded with a 17-4 run to take the lead midway through the first half and closed the period with a 13-4 burst to take a 46-37 lead into the locker room.
The Dolphins led by 10 or more points for most of the second half and led by 16 at 84-71 with just 1:24 left in the game. AIC almost pulled off the late comeback as they were forced to foul and Le Moyne struggled at the free throw line down the stretch, making just 3 of 12 shots from the line in the final minute.
Senior guard Matt Vassil (Dalton, Pa.) was one of five Dolphins to score in double-figures with a game-high 28 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the field and was 7 of 9 from 3-point range. He also made 5 of six free throw attempts. Sophomore forward Laurence Ekperigan (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) added 17 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Sophomore forward Ryan Leak (Brooklyn, N.Y.) scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for AIC. Sophomore forward Colson Senat (Montreal, P.Q.) added 11 points and five boards off the bench.
Le Moyne shot 56.4 percent from the field (31-55) and 54.5 percent from 3-point range, while AIC shot 43.7 percent from the floor and just 25.0 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
The Yellow Jackets return to action Dec. 29 when they travel to
the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia for a 2 p.m.
non-conference contest.