Box Score
GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Neumann University women’s basketball team fell to #17 Messiah College, 64-55, in its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament Friday evening.
Brittany Whetts scored 15 points to lead the Knights. Katie Young netted 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Dori Gyori led the Falcons with 18 points and 13 boards. Nicky Hess added 17 points while Michele Schleich netted 11.
Neumann started the game by scoring the first five points. Messiah then netted four straight points for a 5-4 score. The Knights built up a 22-14 lead capped by a free through by Nicole Feby with 5:45 left in the first half. The Falcons then went on an 11-0 run to take a three point advantage, 25-22. Messiah would go into the locker room up by two, 26-24.
The Knights would climb back and took a one point lead, 44-43, on a Sami Borcky lay-up with 8:38 left on the clock. Messiah answered by going on an 8-0 run and taking the lead back for good. The Knights would get back to within five a few times down the stretch, the last time coming with 1:12 left and the score 57-52. Neumann started fouling to try and get over the hump, but Messiah made the key free throws and came away with the 64-55 win.
Messiah (24-4) advances to the second round tomorrow evening where it will face Mount Union College. Mount Union defeated Washington & Jefferson in the first game this evening, 71-48.
Neumann ends its season 20-7. The Knights won their first conference championship in over 20 seasons as well as winning 20 games.