Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior LaTisha Hatcher (Detroit, Mich.) collected a game-high 21 points but it was not enough as the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team fell short at AIC, 61-57, in Springfield, Mass. on Sunday afternoon. With the loss, the Owls dropped to 4-1, 2-1 in Northeast-10 competition, while the Yellowjackets improved to 1-3, 1-3 in the league.

Despite turning the ball over 14 times in the first half, the Owls managed to keep the game close behind shooting 48 percent from the field. Hatcher led all scorers in the opening 20 minutes with 12 points on 5-6 shooting, while Allyson Smith (East Hampton, Conn.) and Logan Lentz (Chambersburg, Pa.) each added five.

Conversely to Southern, AIC only accumulated four turnovers in the first stanza, but missed 21 field goals for a stingy 36 percent. Regardless of the two teams' strengths and weaknesses, the score was knotted up at 29 as the halftime whistle sounded.

AIC jumped out to an early lead after the brief intermission. The teams exchanged baskets for a bit but then Adriana Johnson ignited a 17-8 run for the Yellowjackets, giving the home team a 58-48 advantage. Despite a late run in the final minutes, the Owls suffered its first loss of the season.

Hatcher finished with 21 points on 7-9 shooting and grabbed five rebounds in the losing effort. Smith collected double-digits for the fifth straight game, while Lentz chimed in with nine points and two assists. Senior Jacqueline Johannes (Southbury, Conn.) hauled in a game-high 14 boards to go along with six points.

The Owls return to action on Dec. 2 with a home contest against Adelphi University. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Moore Field House.