AIC Tames Setters 64-57
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Senior forward Alexis Castro (Chula Vista, Calif.) notched her 11th double-double of the season with 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the American International College women's basketball team to a 64-57 victory over Pace Tuesday night at Butova Gymnasium. The Yellow Jackets improved to 16-9 on the season and 12-8 in the Northeast-10 with their fifth straight win, while the Setters dropped to 9-16 overall and 8-12 in league play. For the Yellow Jackets, it was their first time defeating the Setters in their last six tries, dropping 66-52 decision on the road in November.
After the Yellow Jackets scored the games first basket they didn't looked back. Pace never had the lead, which was in part to a very tight defensive effort. The game went back-and-forth all the way until the end, but junior guard Jeanette Johnathan (Central Islip, N.Y.) sealed the victory, making four free-throw shots in the final 40 seconds of the game. Johnathan finished with 14 points, two blocks, and three steals, continuing to be a catalyst to Yellow Jacket success.
Along with Castro, junior forward Stacy Boisvert (Agawam, Mass.) also had a double-double for AIC with 14 points to go along with ten rebounds. Senior center Mirlande Francois (Miami, Fla.) contributed with ten rebounds and five points.
AIC shot 19-48, 39.6% from the field and 23-31, 74.2% from the free-throw line, while also pulling down 44 total rebounds. AIC benefited from 15 second chance points, to only five second chance put-backs from the Setters. Castro was huge within that stat, leading all players with seven offensive boards.
Sophomore forward Taylor Losey (Bristol, Conn.) led the Setters scoring 16 points in the losing effort and senior forward Stephanie Rossmy (Staten Island, N.Y.) also scored in double figures, putting down 14 points.
Next up, AIC will travel to UMass-Lowell in a Northeast-10 contest this weekend.