Box Score

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Trahmier Burrell had a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds and Bobby Harris had 27 points to lead American International past the nationally-ranked No. 2 Southern Connectiuct State men's basketball team 100-91 on Saturday afternoon. Junior Desmond Williams (Torrington, Conn.) had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Owls. Senior Luke Houston (Pearl River, N.Y.) had a game-high 31 points in the losing effort, while senior Tylon Smith (Manchester, Conn.) added 22 points and six rebounds. With the win, American Int'l improves to 5-2 (3-1 NE-10), while the Southern drops to 7-1 (3-1 NE-10).

The back and forth contest saw 24 lead changes and 16 ties.

AIC jumped out to a 13-6 lead by the 15:45 mark following a three-pointer by Harris. Williams helped the Owls tie the game by hitting back-to-back buckets, followed by a Houston three to bring the score to 13-13.

The Owls would not draw even again until nearly eight minutes later when sophomore Austin Carter (Bloomfield, Conn.) threw down a monster slam off a missed three-pointer to tie the game at 31-31.


 
With 1:26 remaining in the first half, Houston sank one of his four three-pointers to give the Owls a 44-43 advantage, their first lead since it was 4-2 at the 18:20 mark. Harris would score AIC's next five points before the buzzer to give the Yellow Jackets a 48-46 lead heading into the locker room.

A wild second half saw 10 ties and 16 lead changes as neither team led by more than four points over the first 17:04 of the half. A pair of Houston free throws gave the Owls their final lead at 85-84 with 3:57 remaining. Burrell and Harris ran off the next nine points for AIC and the Yellow Jackets were 10-for-16 from the free throw line over the last 2:56 to bring the final score to 100-91.

The Owls will travel to LIU Post for a non-conference matchup on Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.