SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Southern Connecticut women's basketball team defeated American International College, 61-58, at the Henry A. Buttova Gymnasium. The Owls improved to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the Northeast 10, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the NE10.

Senior Delaney Connors (West Hartford, Conn.) had a game-high 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal to help charge the Owls' play. Connors shot 57 percent from three-point range and 54 percent from the field. Graduate student Jessica Fressle (Levittown, N.Y.) shot 67 percent from three-point range and 55 percent from the field and recorded 18 points and 15 rebounds. Senior Zoë Amalbert (Nanuet, N.Y.) had 12 points, five assists and a steal. 

Quarter Scores
Q1: SCS 16, AIC 6
Q2: SCS 29, AIC 28, 
Q3: SCS 46, AIC 45
Q4: SCS 61, AIC 58

How It Happened

• Southern Connecticut jumped out to a hot 15-2 start and held AIC to single-digit scoring in the first quarter.
• Both squads traded points to start the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets offense began to surge in the latter half of the quarter, ignited by a 9-2 run that saw them come within one of the Owls.  The remaining nine baskets of the quarter were tight as AIC narrowly outscore Southern 7-5, but the Owls held a one-point lead heading into the half, 29-28.
• Third quarter efforts remained similar in fashion to how the second quarter ended with tight scoring between both sides. After the Owls held two separate leads by five points, AIC clawed its way back into the picture and finished the third quarter down by one. 
• AIC took its first lead of the game in the fourth quarter with two made free throws. After coming within inches of the lead, Southern tied it on a fast break jumper from Connors. Amalbert gave the Owls the go-ahead lead with a jumper before AIC tied it again. It was Connors again who sparked the offense for Southern with her second fast break jumper in two minutes. She recorded six of the Owls final eight points to help lead them to victory. 

Notes

• Delaney Connors picked up her first 20-point game in an Owl uniform and her second double-digit point game this season.
• Jessica Fressle recorded her second double-double of the season with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Her first double-double came in the Owls' first game against Georgian Court on Nov. 13 where she scored a season-high 23 points and 15 rebounds.
• Zoë Amalbert has recorded at least one steal in each other the Owls' four games this season. Amalbert also has double-digit points in all four games for the Owls. 

Up Next
The Owls will start a four-game home stand beginning with Holy Family on Sunday, Nov. 28 at Moore Field House.