WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Neumann University men's basketball team opened the season at No. 6 Catholic University on Saturday afternoon, but dropped the contest 75-64.

James Butler led the Knights with 16 points. Denzel Yard had 12 points and Tyaire Hudson added 10. Kevin Green connected on three shots from beyond the arc for nine points.

Catholic slowly built its lead up during the beginning of the first half. With the score 19-13, the Cardinals went on a 10-0 run for a 16 points advantage. The Knights would get to within 11 a few times but the Cardinals took a 37-22 lead at the break.

The Knights began to chip away at the Cardinals lead and with 9:05 left in regulation, a lay-up by Hudson brought Neumann to within 10, 56-46. The Knights would get as close as nine, 61-52, with 5:51 on the clock however, the Cardinals answered with the next eight points to extend their lead. Neumann went on a 6-1 run, but Catholic kept the Knights at arms length over the final few minutes to come away with the win.

Neumann (0-1) heads to Rowan on Tuesday for a non-conference game beginning at 7:00 PM.