Sophomore Brian Hamor scored 25 of his career-best 28 points after halftime tonight at American International (PHOTO BY Richard Orr)

Hamor nets career-best 28 points as Skyhawks have eight game win streak halted

Junior guard Isiah Wallace (Springfield, Mass./Sabis International Charter School) led six American International players in double-figures with 23 points, shooting 7-for-14 from the field and converting 8-of-9 free-throw attempts, to go with eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Sophomore Ricky Hudson (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township) added 15 points and two steals off the bench, while junior Adrian Hynes-Guery (Montreal, Quebec/Dawson College) notched a double-double with 11 points, shooting 3-for-6 from three-point range, and ten assists.

Senior Allen Aragbaye (Corona, Calif./Worcester Academy) registered 12 points, three assists and two steals, while classmate Anthony Thomas (Baltimore, Md./North County) posted ten points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots. Senior Byron Richards (Adelphia, Md./Dematha Catholic) chipped in with ten points, shooting 3-for-3 from the field including both three point attempts and converting 2-of-3 free-throw attempts, and three boards.

Sophomore Brian Hamor (Guilderland, N.Y./Bishop Gibbons) led Stonehill with a game and career-high 28 points (25 after halftime) on 10-for-20 shooting from the field, including 4-for-12 from three-point range, five rebounds and three assists. Junior Patrick Lee (Fayetteville, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius) finished with 13 points and six rebounds, while classmate Ivan Almeida (Praia, Cape Verde) posted 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Sam Markle (Bethany, Conn./Saint Thomas More) contributed a career-high 13 points, four assists and two steals. Senior Mike Kernan (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) chipped in with a game-best 16 rebounds.

Junior Patrick Lee contributed 13 points and six rebounds. (PHOTO BY Bert Lane)

American International finished shooting 43.5-percent (27-for-62) from the field, including 6-for-12 (50%) in overtime, while draining 8-of-16 (50%) three-pointers. The Yellow Jackets outscored Stonehill 25-15 (25-for-36/69.4%) at the free-throw line. The Skyhawks finished shooting 43.8% (32-73) from the field, including 55.2% (16-29) in the second half to erase an eight point (34-26) halftime deficit and force overtime. Stonehill outrebounded the hosts 49-38, outscoring AIC 17-10 for second chance points.

American International scored nine of the first 11 points of the second overtime period to finally take control (80-73) after an Aragbye three with 1:16 left in the extra session. Stonehill pulled within four (83-79) when Hamor converted a three-point play with 26-seconds left, but AIC made its last four free-throw attempts to seal the victory.

Stonehill trailed by as much as 11 on two occasions early in the second half before rallying to force overtime in a contest which featured ten ties and 16 lead changes throughout. A Hudson layup had American International in front by 11 (41-30) two and a half minutes into the second half. The Skyhawks got back in the game with a 12-0 run to take the lead (42-41) after a three point play from sophomore Adam Fazzini (Drums, Pa./Crestwood) with 13-24 left in regulation.

The lead jockeyed back and forth until American International was able to regain a five point lead (54-49) after a Wallace jumper midway through the half. Stonehill forced a tie (56-56) with a layup from senior Daniel Heppert (Richmond, Va./Benedictine) with 6:29 remaining and then posted a five point lead of its own (65-60) after a Hamor layup with 2:14 to play. AIC closed out regulation with a 6-1 run, all at the free-throw line, to force overtime, capped by two free-throws by Hudson with 35-seconds left. Both teams had shots in the final half minute, but couldn't convert as Heppert missed a jumper at the buzzer for the Skyhawks.

The teams traded baskets in the minute and a half of overtime, but then neither scored until the final three quarters of a minute. Wallace converted a three-point play to put AIC up three (71-68) with 43-seconds remaining in the first overtime, but Hamor answered with a three with 30-seconds to play. The Yellow Jackets played for the final shot after a timeout, but Wallace's jumper at the buzzer was off the mark to send the game to a second extra session.

Stonehill (13-4, 8-4 NE-10) looks to bounce back on Saturday when it hosts Adelphi University for an NE-10 matchup in Merkert Gymnasium at 3:30 p.m. American International (13-4, 9-3 NE-10) visits Franklin Pierce University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.