When and Where: January 19, 2022 – Springfield, Mass. (Henry A. Butova Gymnasium)
Score: Southern New Hampshire University 83, American International College 71
Records: SNHU 7-6 (3-5 NE10), AIC 6-12 (3-6 NE10)
Sophomore
Jacari Sanders (San Antonio, Texas) led the way with 18 points, and sophomore
Matt Becht (Vienna, Va.) added 17 as the Southern New Hampshire University men's basketball team snapped a four-game conference losing streak with a solid 83-71 win at American International College Wednesday night in Springfield, Mass.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
- Sanders - 18 points (6-11 FG, 3-5 3-FG, 3-5 FT), 7 rebounds, 5 assists
- Becht – 17 points (5-14 FG, 5-11 3-FG, 2-2 FT), 2 rebounds, 3 steals
- Freshman Ethan Okwuosa (No. Haven, Conn.) - matched career-high 14 points (6-12 FG, 2-5 3-FG), 2 rebounds, 2 steals
- Junior Ryan Layman (Wrentham, Mass.) - 8 points (4-5 FG), 11 rebounds
KEY MOMENTS
- American International hit a couple of three pointers in the first minute before the Penmen responded on two Aaron Gray field goals to make it 6-5.
- A pair of free throws by senior Corry Long (Cincinnati, Ohio) gave the Penmen the lead for the first time at 16-14 with 9:52 to play in the first half.
- SNHU took the lead for good on a three-pointer by Sanders with 1:27 to go until halftime. The Penmen led 36-31 at the break after a Sanders jumper just before the buzzer.
- The lead grew to as many as 17 points in the second half with the Penmen shooting well (17-36, 7-18 3-FG) in the final 20 minutes to secure the road win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Freshman Aaron Gray (Providence, R.I.) posted nine points despite foul trouble. He pulled down a pair of rebounds.
- Freshman Derrick Grant (No. Plainfield, N.J.) matched a career-high with eight points in his season-high 21 minutes of action.
- Sanders had five of the 11 assists for the Penmen.
- SNHU outshot AIC, 46.2 percent (30-65) to 40 percent (24-60), including 35.5 (11-31) to 27.8 percent (5-18) from long range. AIC did have an advantage from the line (18-22) vs. 12-for-16 for the Penmen.
- The Yellow Jackets won the glass (40-38) and captured the paint (32-26). AIC was paced by sophomore Jalen Jordan with 16.
NOTES
- SNHU leads the all-time series with AIC, 29-19, winning five of the last seven.
- SNHU picked up its third win in NE10 play, but the first since an overtime win over Saint Michael's College on December 1.
WHAT'S NEXT
- The Penmen return to action Saturday 1/22 (3:30 p.m.) when they play host to The College of Saint Rose. The game will be part of an NE10 doubleheader with the #18/RV SNHU women. Fans attending will be required to a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. The concession stand will be closed.
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