Nov. 26, 2006

ELIZABETHTOWN , Pa. --- Neumann College rebounded from a 37-28 first half deficit to defeat Knights' first year Head Coach Corey Stitzel's Alma Mater 72-69 at Elizabethtown's Thompson Gymansium Sunday evening. With the win Neumann extends its win streak to three bettering their season record to 3-1, while Elizabethtown drops to 1-3.  

 

"It is a great win for Neumann and for me," stated Stitzel after the game. "It was great to be able return to my Alma Mater and come out with a win. I am so proud of this team and of how they played. It is a great feeling."

Though Neumann rode off with the win they had to overcome a tough Blue Jay team who shot 50% from the field in the first half. Neumann gained their first lead of the night with 13 minutes left in the second half, 47-46, but had to battle to hold on to the lead for the remainder of the game. With eight minutes left, Elizabethtown fought back to take a 56-51 advantage. Neumann pulled ahead again, 59-58, with 4:29 left in the game, and the score was tied 64-64 with 1:52 left.

Neumann took the lead for good, 66-64, with 1:24 remaining and went up 70-64 with 45 seconds left. Elizabethtown cut the gap to 71-69 with five seconds remaining however; they could not prevent the Knights from taking home the win. Neumann's DJ Fritz sealed the deal for the Knights hitting one out of two free throws, with three seconds left, giving the Knights their third win of the season, 72-69.

Fritz led the Knights in scoring with 19 points and in rebounds with seven. Mike Hitchens scored 14 points for Neumann and Derahn Patrick added 12 points for the Knights in the win.