Saavedra nails three-pointer at the buzzer to lift Yellow Jackets to victory

RINDGE, N.H. (February 2, 2002) - Senior point guard Ulises Deniz Saavedra nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to lift American International College to a 62-60 victory over Franklin Pierce in a key Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball matchup at the Franklin Pierce Fieldhouse this afternoon.

Saavedra's buzzer-beater was his first basket of the second half after he led AIC with 14 first-half points, including a last-second three to give the Yellow Jackets a 32-30 advantage at the break. He finished the afternoon hitting six-of-nine from the field, including 5-6 from three-point range, to go along with three assists and four steals.

Saavedra's gamewinning shot came just seconds after Franklin Pierce sophomore Derek Rodgerson (Newburgh, Maine/Hampden Academy) drained a three-pointer to put the Ravens up 61-59 with eight seconds on the clock.

AIC senior Malik Moore quickly worked the ball up the court, driving to the lane before kicking the ball out to a wide-open Saavedra.

Moore led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 7-14 from the field, including three three-pointers, and also totaled seven rebounds and four assists. Sophomore guard Shaaron Sinvilcin added 12 points, seven boards, five assists and two steals.

Rodgerson led Franklin Pierce with 17 points, aided by a 5-8 effort from long-distance, and three assists. Junior Tom Waterman (Bangor, Maine/Bangor) totaled 12 points, hitting 3-4 three's, six assists and three steals. Classmate V.J. Kwity (Torrance, Calif./West) finished with 11 points (all first half), four assists and three steals.

American International registered a 32-22 rebounding advantage and finished the afternoon shooting 48-percent (24-50) from the field compared to 44.4% (20-45) for Franklin Pierce.

Franklin Pierce (11-10, 8-9 NE-10) returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Bentley College at 7:30 p.m. American International (10-10, 8-8 NE-10) hosts Saint Anselm College on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.