American International Holds Off Stonehill, 63-58


Freshman Ryan Logan posted his first career double-double with 12 points and a season-high 12 rebounds tonight. (PHOTO BY Emily Reynolds)

Logan and Cole notch double-doubles for Skyhawks 

EASTON, Mass. (January 14, 2014) – American International College posted a 63-58 victory over Stonehill College in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action at Merkert Gymnasium tonight.

Junior Marcus Porter's (New Castle, Del./Howard) double-double led American International as he scored 19 of his game-high 23 points in the first half to go with a game-high 17 rebounds, four blocked shots and a steal. He made 8-of-12 shots from the field and converted 7-of-8 free-throws on the night for the Yellow Jackets. Senior Janek Schmidkunz (Berlin, Germany) added 14 points and two rebounds, while junior Bobby Harris (Berlin, N.J./Eastern) contributed eight points, nine boards, four assists and three steals.

Junior Jack Cole (New Providence, N.J./New Providence) and freshman Ryan Logan (Fredericktown, Ohio/Fredericktown) both notched double-doubles to lead Stonehill. Logan posted 12 points and a season-high 12 rebounds to go with two assists and two steals, while Cole finished with ten points on 4-of-8 shooting, ten rebounds, five assists, a blocked shot and steal. Sophomore Carter Smith (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) chipped in nine points and three boards.


Junior Jack Cole posted his third double-double of the season (13th career) with ten points and ten boards. (PHOTO BY Emily Reynolds)

AIC shot 38.5-percent (20-for-52) from the field, including 6-for-25 (24%) from three-point range, while converting 17-of-24 (70.8%) free-throw attempts. Stonehill made just 9-of-18 (50%) at the free-throw line, while shooting 36.5% (23-for-63) from the field. Stonehill posted a 43-36 rebounding advantage, which aided in a 13-7 edge in second chance points, while the Yellow Jackets claimed an 11-4 break in points off turnovers despite the miscues finishing at 14-14 each.

Neither team led by more than five points in the first half before American International took a three point lead (30-27) into the intermission behind Porter's 19 first half points. The Yellow Jackets extended the lead to a game-high eight (41-33) after a layup from senior Spencer Braithwaite (Dorchester, Mass./Madison Park) five minutes into the second half.

Stonehill regained the lead (46-44) when sophomore Josh Heyliger (Bronx, N.Y./The Hill School) capped an 11-2 run with a basket with 9:25 to play. Schmidkunz answered with a three-pointer at the other end to nose AIC back in front. The teams traded baskets until freshman Jimmy Walsh (Manasquan, N.Y./Manasquan) gave the Skyhawks their final lead of the night (50-49) on a layup with 7:18 left.

AIC followed with an 11-2 run of its own to reclaim an eight point advantage (60-52) after Braithwaite made one of two at the line with 2:55 to play. Stonehill was able to close back within four (62-58) with 16-seconds on the clock after back to back baskets by Logan, but could get no closer.

Stonehill (4-10, 2-8 NE-10) closes out its three game home stand on Saturday when it hosts Concordia (N.Y.) College for a non-conference clash at Merkert Gym at 2 p.m. American International (7-7, 4-5 NE-10) hosts Bentley University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks mobile app on iTunes and the Android Market.

Highlights