Feb. 3, 2008
Box Score
ASTON, Pa.--Neumann College opened up a 17-point 2nd half lead and never looked back, defeating Alvernia College 95-82 in PAC men's basketball action Saturday afternoon in Reading Pa. With the loss, the Crusaders fell to 11-8 overall, while the Knights, winners in four of their last seven games, improved to 7-11 on the year.
Neumann, ranked sixth in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, battled the Crusaders point for point for point in the first half. Play included 6-ties before the half ended with Alvernia, ranked second in the conference, taking a 1-point lead over the Knights, 43-42.
The Knights exploded in the second half taking a 13 point lead with 12:10 left as Mike Hitchens converted a 3-point play to start a 13-2 run that put the Knights up 63-50. During the run, the Knights received 5-points each from Eli Hitchens and DJ Fritz. Alvernia came within nine of the Knights but Neumann went on another 10-point run to extend its lead to 17 with 4:14 left to play which proved to be too much for the Crusaders to handle
Four Knights posted double-figure scoring, led by Eli Hitchens' game-high 28 points (11-17 FG, 4-5 FT) and 8 rebounds. DJ Fritz scored 18 points, Derahn Patrick scored 17 and Nasheed Linton rounded out the scoring with 13 points. The Knights shot 53 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the free throw line.
The Knights return to conference action on Monday, February 4, when they host Eastern University at the Bruder Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 p.m.
