Southern Conn. St. SCSU 1-3,0-0 NE10

American Int'l AIC 0-5,0-1 NE10

Southern Conn. St. SCSU

1-3,0-0 NE10

Final

Nov. 25, 2025

American Int'l AIC

0-5,0-1 NE10

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Southern Conn. St. SCSU	29	32	61
American Int'l AIC	25	24	49

Summary
Box Score

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 11/25/2025 9:24:00 PM

SCSU Men's Basketball Defeats AIC, 61-49

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Southern Connecticut men's basketball picked up their first win of the 2025-26 season, defeating American International 61-49. The Owls improve to 1-3 on the season heading into Thanksgiving break.

Justice Ellison led the way with 19 points, six rebounds, and two steals against his former team. Cherif Diarra recorded his first double-double of the year with 14 points and 13 boards. Christian McClease scored 10 off the bench, going 4-8 from the field and 2-3 from deep. The win marked the ninth-straight victory for the Owls over the Yellow Jackets.

It was a back-and-forth, defensive affair early, with the Owls taking their first lead at the 15 minute mark, jumping ahead 12-10 on a Diarra three-pointer. Diarra and Ellison, who would combine for 33 of the Owls' 61 points, combined to score 10 of Southern's first 12 points. Both defense would continue to hold strong. A three from McClease would tie the game at 17 with ten minutes to go, then the combination of Diarra and Ellison would put Southern ahead 23-17. Rob Taylor and Jahlil Bethea both scored off the bench in their Owl debuts, helping the team to a four-point lead heading into the half.

Southern would maintain their lead to start the second half, with key baskets coming from Malik Banks early in the period. AIC stayed close, keeping the Owls within single digits. Scoring was at a premium for both teams, with Southern finally cracking the 50-point mark with under seven minutes left. The Yellow Jackets were able to bring themselves within a single possession a few times, but timely makes from Diarra and Ellison along with some quality rebounding from Simon Percy would keep the Owls in front. They would extend the lead to 10 with 2:51 to go, and were able to hold on for a 61-49 victory.

The Owls will return home on Wednesday, December 3rd when they take on Franklin Pierce at 7:30 p.m. in the first game that will count toward their conference record.

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