PLEASANTVILLE N.Y. – Shanice Sinclair's career-high 18 points helped lift the Pace University women's basketball team past American International College, 59-54. Following the victory, the Setters improve to 17-9 overall, and 11-9 in the Northeast-10.

After an evenly matched first quarter, the Blue and Gold brought the lockdown defense in the second holding the Yellow jackets to 1-14 from the field, and 0-6 from behind the arc. In the quarter, the Setters strung together a 12-1 run to take control of the opening half, 37-22.  

Sinclair propelled the Pace offense early, scoring 14 first-half points on an impressive 7-10 from the floor. The senior guard matched her season-high of 14 points in only 19 first-half minutes.  

The second half presented a different story for the Blue and Gold as American International found momentum behind an 8-2 run to jump start the half, trimming the Pace lead to 41-30.  

The Yellow jackets continued to build momentum in the final quarter behind a 9-4 run bringing the score to 53-48, with seven minutes remaining. It would come down to the final minutes with the visitors closing the deficit to three points with under a minute left off a layup from AIC's Kayla Robinson. 

Following a three-point miss from American International Pace would be forced to the charity stripe where Ciara Collins would put the game out of reach for the Yellow jackets making 4-4 to secure Pace's win, 59-54.  

Points in the paint came at a premium for the Setters as they tallied 36 of their 59 points down low. On the night, Pace managed 43.6 percent from the field while American International made only 33.8.

The Setter's dominant second quarter became the difference-maker in the match-up. Sinclair led the way for Pace with 18 points, while Collins posted 13. 

With three games remaining in the season, the Setters travel to Bentley University Saturday afternoon for a 1:30 p.m. tip-off.