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PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. The Pace womens basketball team fell short Tuesday against American International in a game that had 15 lead changes.
The Setters (15-5, 12-4) fell into a tie for third place in the Northeast-10 Conference with Southern New Hampshire after the 61-58 defeat.
The lead changed hands seven times and the score was tied three times in the first half alone. The Yellow Jackets jumped ahead first but Pace took a 10-9 lead with 13:50 to play. American International took the lead on its next possession and opened up its largest lead at 22-16 with 8:53 left.
Pace again took a one-point lead at 23-22 but American International came back and held a 33-32 lead at halftime. The Setters had 24 points in the paint in the first half to their opponents 12 and each team scored eight points off turnovers.
Paces Kerri White started the scoring in the second half with a three pointer to put Pace ahead, 35-33. The lead changed hands eight times in the second half and the score was tied four times. Carol Johnsons two free throws with 14:02 remaining gave Pace a 46-45 lead.
The Yellow Jackets then took a 53-47 lead with 9:34 remaining but Margo Hacketts layup put Pace ahead again at 54-53 with 5:57 left. AIC pulled ahead by four but Brittany Shields layup with 2:37 to play brought Pace within two at 58-56.
AIC hit a three pointer but Johnson sank two more free throws to make it a one possession game with 1:51 remaining. The Setters were unable to tie the game in the final moments, though, as Whites three point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark.
Shields led the Setters with 21 points and five rebounds. White collected 11 points, four assists and two blocks and Johnson added 10 points and two steals. Maral Javadifar led Pace with six rebounds.
Pace now travels to face the New Haven Chargers in a conference matchup on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m.
From a report by Pace University Athletics/John M. Tagliaferri
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