WORCESTER, Mass.—The Assumption University Men's Basketball team used smothering defense and efficient shooting from beyond the arc to race away from American International College, 88-64 in Northeast-10 Conference action, Wednesday evening inside Andrew Laska Gymnasium. 
 
THE BASICS: 
Score: Assumption University 88, American International College 64
Records: Greyhounds (18-8, 13-6 NE10) | Yellow Jackets (3-23, 2-16 NE10)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Assumption started firing on all-cylinders from the jump, as they outscored American International 19-6 over the first 5:41 of the game. The run by the Greyhounds included six points from Jamal Barnes and Tayeshawn Cunningham-Pemberton, as the team shot 66.7 percent (8-of-12), while holding the Yellow Jackets to 3-of-9 (33.3 percent) from the floor and turning over the ball four times. Following the third timeout of the game at the 5:41 mark, the Hounds continued to pull away over the next 7:41, as their lead would balloon to 25 points (35-10) after a Daouda Dembele dunk. American International closed the gap by the end of the half, as they went on a 17-12 run over the final 5:55 of the opening frame, as Assumption would carry a 47-27 lead into the break. 
 
The Greyhounds' defense would continue to be lockdown for the first 8:23 of the second half, as they held AIC to 6-of-11 from the first, but forced three turnovers. Barnes and Dembele combined for 23 of 26 Assumption points in that stretch, but a Njavan Stewart three points gave the hosts a 31-point advantage (73-42), their largest of the contest. Justice Ellison attempted to will the Yellow Jackets back in the game, but his seven points in the final 10:19 of the contest would not be enough, as Assumption rolled to an 88-64 NE10 win. 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Daouda Dembele led all scorers with 20 points, adding eight boards and three assists. 
• Jamal Barnes was the only other Greyhound with double-digit points, as he made five of eight shots from long range. 
• Assumption outrebounded American International 45-40 while dominating the paint (48-28).
• The Greyhounds turn 22 Yellow Jacket turnovers into 26 points, while the guests turned nine ASM turnovers to just five points.  
• Assumption had 25 assists on 34 field goals, with Zee McCown leading the way with eight assists. 
• AIC still leads the all-time series 38-37. 

UP NEXT:

• Assumption vs. No. 16 Pace, Tuesday, February 25, 7:30 pm.
• American Int'l vs. Bentley, Saturday, February 22, 3:30 pm.

 
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Three time outs in the opening 5:41 (14:19)