NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut men's basketball defeated American International, 61-57 in an NE10 matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets dropped to an overall record of 5-20 and an NE10 record of 4-11. The Owls improved to an overall record of 10-13 and an NE10 record of 6-9.
Justice Ellison recorded 20 points, as he shot 8-for-14 from the floor, had two assists and a block.
Christian McClease had 18 points, was 7-for-9 from the floor, grabbed five boards and made a team-best of three, three pointers.
Malik Banks added eight points, as he was 6-for-7 from the free-throw line and had a team-best of eight assists.
Cherif Diarra grabbed a team-best of nine boards, had a team-best of four steals and three blocks.
Kazell Stewart had eight boards and six points against the Yellow Jackets.
In the first half, it was an even start for both teams as they tied each other, multiple times in the first five minutes until halfway through, Southern Connecticut started to pull away with a 11-2 run with made points from Stewart, Banks, McClease, Ellison, Percy and Diarra. After that, both teams played good defense before the Yellow Jackets put some points back on the board.
Christian McClease finished the half with a made jumper, to keep Southern up by 10 points, 35-25, heading into halftime.
In the second half, American International steadily worked to a 5-0 run and got within three points of the Owls, with 12:50 left. After that, made baskets from Stewart and Ellison helped extend the lead once again, in favor of Southern.
Christian McClease made back-to-back shots for the Owls, but the Yellow Jackets weren't going away. With four minutes left, American International hit a three-pointer, to get within two points of Southern.
With 2:00 left on the clock, the Yellow Jackets beat the shot clock to tie the game at 54-54.
Justice Ellison responded with back-to-back made jumpers, to retake the lead, 58-54 with 1:17 left. American International got within two points of Southern again, with less than a minute left but
Justice Ellison hit another jumper, to put the Owls ahead, 60-56. Southern held off American International, 61-57 to secure the 10
th victory of the season.
Southern is back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 18 when it travels to Garden City, N.Y. to take on Adelphi at 7:30 p.m. The Owls return home for their final regular-season game when they host Saint Michael's on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. at James Moore Field House with Senior Day festivities scheduled for the start of the game.
