BOX SCORE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Despite a season-high 18 points from Julia Houghtaling (Franconia, NH), Southern New Hampshire University suffered a 50-45 loss to American International College in Northeast-10 women's basketball Saturday afternoon at Butova Gymnasium.  The Yellow Jackets improved to 8-4 and 5-3 in Northeast-10 play, while the Penmen saw a two-game win streak snapped and are now 5-7 and 3-6 in the league.

Houghtaling finished 7-16 from the floor and also grabbed five rebounds.  Sara Tucker (Red Hook, NY) was the other SNHU player in double figures as she finished with 11 points, nine of those coming in the first half.  Alexis Castro led AIC with 16 points and six rebounds off the bench.

SNHU led 32-23 at halftime and pulled out to a 43-31 lead with 11:10 remaining following a layup by Houghtaling.  The Yellow Jackets then reeled off 15 unanswered points, taking a 44-43 lead with just over five minutes left on a Stacy Boisvert hoop and going up 46-43 on Alissa Rubino's basket with 2:52 left.

Hougtaling would cut the AIC lead back to one, 46-45, with just over a minute to go but Boisvert would respond on the hosts' next trip.  SNHU would come up empty on its final two possessions as the Yellow Jackets sealed the win at the free throw line.

The Penmen used a 11-1 run late in the first half to take a 28-18 lead with 1:47 remaining on a pair of free throws by Stephanie Houghton (Manchester, NH) and took a 32-23 lead into the locker room.

AIC shot 47.8% in the second half after shooting just 28.6% in the opening 20 minutes.  The Penmen shot just 29.1% for the game and were 1-10 from three-point land.  Both teams grabbed 40 rebounds.

SNHU returns to action Monday night when it hosts the University of Bridgeport.  Game time is scheduled for 6:00 pm.