THE BASICS:

- Score: No. 9 American International 76, No. 15 Assumption 69

- Records: Assumption (10-3, 6-2 NE-10) American International (14-0, 7-0 NE-10)

- Location: Worcester, Mass. (Laska Gym)

- The Lead: In a matchup of nationally-ranked divisional leaders, the No. 15 ranked Assumption College women's basketball team dropped a back-and-forth 76-69 home final to No. 9 American International College at Laska Gym on Wednesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

- Assumption jumped out to a quick 6-4 lead off a pair of threes from senior Kelly Conley (Ellington, Conn./Ellington), but AIC took its first lead at 13-12 with 2:21 left in the first on a jumper from Brianna Bishop. A turnaround jumper from Ebony Easter and three free throws from Bishop with no time left on the clock gave the Yellow Jackets an 18-12 edge after one period.

- In the second, the Yellow Jackets stretched the lead out to 22-17 with 7:45 left before the Hounds cut the edge down to just one at 24-23 on back-to-back threes from Conley and junior Kelly Carey (Long Beach, N.Y./Holy Trinity). The Hounds regained the lead at 29-28 with just over two minutes left and eventually pushed to a 35-30 advantage after a corner three from junior Allison Stoddard (East Lyme, Conn./East Lyme).  AIC closed to within just one at 35-34 at the break, including three free throws with no time on the clock as Bishop was fouled on a three-point attempt and knocked down all three. 

- The Yellow Jackets regained the lead to open the third and with 5:15 on the clock after a Bishop three, the Hounds called timeout trailing by a 46-40 margin. Assumption closed the third on an 11-2 run though behind nine straight points from Stoddard for a 51-48 lead after three periods.

- Assumption led by a 53-48 margin in the opening seconds of the fourth before a 12-1 AIC run over just 2:32 put the Jackets up 60-54 with seven minutes remaining. A three-point play by junior Jo Impellizeri (Seaford, N.Y./St. Anthony's) cut the lead to just one at 65-64 with 2:27 left, but the Jackets closed on an 11-5 run for the seven-point victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- Stoddard led three Hounds in double figures with an 18-point effort, while Conley added 14 and Impellizeri posted 13 points. Senior Ann Marie Idusuyi (Lynn, Mass./St. Mary's) was the team's leading rebounder with 12 to go along with five points.

- Bishop had a team-high 25 points for the Yellow Jackets, while Kamika Mason posted 17 points and Imani Stepney had 10.

- Assumption outscored AIC 30-12 from three-point land, while the Yellow Jackets held a 20-13 edge at the free throw line.

- Assumption is ranked No. 15 in the D2SIDA National Poll and is receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll. In addition, the Hounds are ranked No. 2 in the most recent D2SIDA East Region Poll. AIC is ranked No. 9 in the D2SIDA National Poll and No. 21 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, as well as No. 1 in the D2SIDA East Region Poll.

UP NEXT:

- Assumption is back in action at home on Saturday, January 9th as the Hounds host Le Moyne College for a 1 p.m. start at Laska Gym.

STAY CONNECTED:

For the latest on Assumption College Athletics, follow the Hounds via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. For more information, contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 508-767-7240.

- Fans can also sign up for email updates and text message alerts for the women's basketball team and all of the other 23 Assumption varsity sports by clicking here.