Feb. 4, 2006

Box Score

Recap by Brandy McCreary -

ASTON, PA - The Neumann Knights (8-12, 7-6 PAC) hosted the Eagles of Eastern University (15-6, 10-4 PAC) on Saturday afternoon in a game that would prove to be a tough match for both teams.

 

Neumann and Eastern came into the first half head-to-head, battling one another for the lead, but it was Neumann that snagged the largest lead of the half, going up 7 points over Eastern with 15:26 left in the half.  Andre Wright came up big for the Knights, scoring 14 points in the first half.  Teammate Ronnie Fields also did his share of scoring with 8 first half points.  The Eagles heard from Corey Copeland and Lenny DiMaria early in the half, but Neumann was able to maintain its lead due to the efforts of Ely Hitchens, Mike Hitchens, and Eric Lawton.  Joe Manzo and Ben Easley added 7 points to the board for the Eagles, but the Knights answered back with shots made by Thomas Davis, Ronnie Fields, and Andre Wright.  The Knights ended the half on top, with a score of 37-34.

 

Entering the second half, both teams seemed to pick up the intensity.  Neumann's Wright made two lay-ups while Eastern's DiMaria set up Copeland for a 3 pointer, and Bobby Black hit another shot from behind the arc to even up the score at 46-46 with 14:22 left in the game.  It stayed a close game; Mike Hitchens and Ronnie Fields continued to put up much needed points for the Knights, but Bobby Black kept Eastern within a few points.  Gregory Cunningham's quick passes allowed Neumann to stay one up over the Eagles, recording 4 assists for the game.  It wasn't until late in the second half when Eastern took the lead, with 3:00 left on the clock.  The Knights were forced to put Eastern's Bobby Black on the line, who unfortunately made all of his free throws.  Gregory Cunningham made a drive to the basket and put 2 more points up for Neumann, making the score 72-76.  Mike Hitchens made a final free throw for the Knights, but it was David Volpe's last set of free throws that gave the Eagles a 5 point lead.  The Knights put forth a great effort the entire game, but fell short to Eastern, 78-73.  The loss put Neumann's record at 8-13, 7-7 in the PAC.  Eastern will improve their record to 16-6, 11-4 in the PAC.

 

The Knights will return to PAC play on Monday, February 6 in Reading, PA where they will take on the Crusaders of Alvernia College.

 

Leading scorers:  Eastern - Bobby Black (19 pts, 2 rebounds), Lenny DiMaria (16 pts, 3 rebounds), Ben Easley (13 pts, 3 rebounds).

 

Leading scorers:  Neumann - Andre Wright (26 pts, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks), Mike Hitchens (14 pts, 2 rebounds) Ronnie Fields (13 pts, 9 rebounds).