Late Rally Lifts AIC Past Wilmington in Sheraton/Hall of Fame Classic
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The American International College women's basketball team posted a 65-52 victory over Wilmington to improve to 7-3 on the season at the 2007 Sheraton/Hall of Fame Classic, while the Wildcats dropped to 6-4 overall. Senior forward Alexis Castro (Chula Vista, Calif.) led the Yellow Jackets with 22 points and 13 boards in the win.
AIC held a 10-point advantage midway through the second half at 43-33 before Wilmington went on a 15-5 to tie the game at 48-48 with 5:04 left in the contest. The Yellow Jackets responded with a 16-2 run over the next 4:25 to put the game away. The two teams traded free throws in the closing seconds for the 65-52 final.
Junior forward Stacy Boisvert (Agawam, Mass.) added 14 points and six rebounds for AIC and junior guard Jeannette Johnathan (Central Islip, N.Y.) chipped in with nine points. Sophomore guard/forward Amelia Simmons (Wilmington, Del.) led the Wildcats with 17 points and seven boards. Senior forward Nordia Henry (Philadelphia, Pa.) added 12 points and eight rebounds and sophomore guard Kim Parker (New Castle, Del.) netted 13 points.
AIC opened the game with a 15-5 over the first 10 minutes of the game before the Wildcats went on a 13-2 run to take an 18-17 lead with 1:28 to go in the first half. The Yellow Jackets regained the lead on their next possession with a 3-pointer from Johnathan and graduate student Molly Large's (Lansing, Mich.) buzzer-beater gave AIC a 23-20 lead at halftime.
The Yellow Jackets shot just 17.2 percent (5-29) from the floor in the first half, but converted 11 of their 14 free throw attempts in the period. AIC shot much better from the floor in the second half, hitting 44.4 percent (12-27) of its shots from the field. Wilmington was no better, shooting just 23.1 percent (6-26) from the floor in the first half and 37.9 percent (11-29) from the field in the second.
The Yellow Jackets finished the game 26-33 at the free throw line (78.8 percent), while the Wildcats went 13-18 (72.2 percent) at the line. AIC outscored Wilmington 25-6 off turnovers and had a 42-37 rebounding advantage.
The Yellow Jackets return to action Jan. 2, 2008 when they
travel to C.W. Post for a 6 p.m. non-conference contest.