Men's Basketball

January 26, 2010

Men's Basketball Drops 64-57 Decision To American International


Box score: http://www.smcathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2009-10/stats/maicstm.htm

Photos: http://www.shanebufano.com/saint-michaels-college/mens-basketball/smcvsaic12610.html

COLCHESTER, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College men's basketball team (8-10, 4-10 Northeast-10 Conference) saw a four-point halftime lead slip away in a 64-57 loss to American International College in league action on Tuesday at the Ross Sports Center.

For AIC (9-10, 7-7 NE-10), sophomore Isiah Wallace (Springfield, Mass.) came off the bench to score a game-high 25 points, making 11-of-16 shots from the field. No other Yellow Jacket scored in double figures, but Wallace helped the Yellow Jackets' bench outscore Saint Michael's bench 34-7 in the contest.

For Saint Michael's (8-10, 4-10 NE-10), freshman Derek Knutty (Rocklin, Calif./Whitney) tallied a season-best 16 points and added seven rebounds. Classmate Travis Warech (Pine Brook, N.J./Montville) added 15 points, hitting 3-of-6 3-pointers, while junior Nate Birr (Burnsville, Minn./Saint Thomas Academy) notched 12 points, a game-high nine rebounds, and three assists.

Saint Michael's held a 28-24 lead following a defensive first half. Knutty sparked the Purple Knights in the opening frame with 12 points and five rebounds, while AIC shot just 10-of-30 in the first period, including 3-of-13 from 3-point territory.

AIC quickly retook the lead in the second half, as the Yellow Jackets scored the first five points of the period to push in front, 29-28, with 18 minutes remaining. That was the first of nine lead changes over the next seven minutes, with sophomore Qua'ron Pinckney (Bronx, N.Y./Saint Benedict's Prep (N.J.)) giving Saint Michael???????s its final lead, 41-40, following his 3-pointer with 11:40 remaining. AIC, however, then scored the next five points to take the lead for good, and the visitors increased their advantage to 54-46 with 5:51 left. Saint Michael's made one last push, as a 3-point play by sophomore Alex Berthiaume (Springfield, Mass./Cathedral) with 3:33 remaining cut the Purple Knights' deficit to 54-52, but Saint Michael's went scoreless in the next two minutes, sealing its fate.

Saint Michael's returns to action on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. game at league newcomer Adelphi University. AIC hosts Saint Anselm College on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

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