Box Score
ASTON, Pa. –The Neumann University men's basketball team picked up an 81-75 victory against Centenary College in the first round of the CSAC Championship action Monday evening.
Neumann's offense was led by Marquise Boggs who netted 24 points and pulled in six rebounds. Na'Sheed Linton scored 19 points on the evening.
The Cyclones had four players in double figures. Lunder Innocent paced the offense with 16 points. Rob Urie and Ryan Kearney each netted 15 points and Will Atkinson added 11.
During tonight's playoff game senior Na'Sheed Linton set a new single season assist record with his 132nd assist on an Sean Armstrong three-pointer.
The playoff match-up between No. 3 seed Neumann and No. 6 seed Centenary turned out to be a thriller, with Neumann going on a run mid-way through the second half which secured them the win.
The first half featured six ties in the first 4:49 and a three minute stretch where neither team missed a shot. The Cyclones extended their lead to nine points, 32-23, when they went on an 11-3 run mid-way through the first. Neumann quickly responded with their own 7-0 to tie the game at 32 with 7:05 left in the half. Centenary regained their lead and had a 49-41 advantage at halftime.
In the second half, the Cyclones extended their lead over the first five minutes. An Urie three-pointer gave Centenary a 12 point margin, 60-48, with sixteen minutes remaining left in the half. The Knights went on a 9-0 run, started with a three-pointer by Patrick O'Connor and had Mike Walukiewicz net three from the foul line. A #Touré Wright# lay-up gave Neumann their first lead of the half with 9:51 left in regulation. Centenary tried to respond, but the Knights were to strong and held them at arm's length for the final 6:37. Neumann picks up the 81-75 victory and advances to the semi-final round of the CSAC Championships.
Neumann is back in action on Wednesday evening at No. 2 Keystone College in a semifinal. Tip-off is slated for 7p.m. The other semifinal will feature No. 4 Immaculata at No. 1 Cabrini.
