RADNOR, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team picked up its first Colonial States Athletic Conference Championship with a 93-92 overtime win against No. 1 seeded Cabrini College on Friday evening.

James Butler led the Knights with a double-double, 31 points and 13 rebounds while adding five assists. He was named the MVP for his play. Denzel Yard dropped 17 points as five Knights hit double-figures. DeShawn Lowman netted 15 points and four assists. Kevin Green hit four three-pointers en route to his 14 points. Andrew Moye added 12 points while grabbing seven boards.

The game came down to overtime as the teams were tied at 82 after the first 40 minutes of play. Green hit on of his baskets from downtown with three seconds in regulation to send the game to extra time.

Green started off overtime where he left off in regulation, connecting on a layup. The teams would trade baskets for three tied scores, including 88-88 with 1:50 left in the first OT.  Butler tied the game and then gave the Knights a one point advantage with two free throws. Yard added to the lead with a layup and a 91-88 Knights lead. The Cavaliers answered with two free throws and a layup to take back a one point advantage, 92-91, with 24 seconds on the clock. Yard dribbled down the court and hit the eventual game winning layup with twelve seconds left in overtime.

After some Cabrini turnovers, Shakeem Stevens stole the ball with one second left and was fouled with under a second left on the clock. Although he missed both shots, the Cavaliers could not get a last second shot off and the Knights completed the upset, 93-92.
 

2014-15 CSAC MVP James Butler with VPSA Dianna Dale

The first half started off back and forth before Cabrini took the first run of the game for a 14-7 lead at the 16:14 mark. Neumann would then go on its run and tie the game at 16 three minutes later. The Cavaliers answered with another run to take back a lead, this time 28-20. Cabrini would build its lead to as many as 14, 40-26, with three minutes left in the half. Butler hit two free throws with 1:02 left in the first half for a 45-35 score that would go into halftime.

The Knights used the first part of the second half to chip their way back into the game and with 12:11 on the clock, Butler tied the game at 57 with a layup. The Cavaliers answered with the next seven points for a 64-57 game. Neumann was not going to go quietly and again got back into the game and took its first lead 75-74 on a layup by Lowman with 3:31 left in regulation.

Cabrini held a three point lead, 80-77, with 48 seconds left in regulation. Butler hit a layup to get back within one with 41 ticks on the clock. The Cavaliers connected on two free throws with 24 seconds remaining to take back the three point lead. The Knights had the last shot as the shot clock was off and with three seconds left, Green hit a huge three to tie the game and send the game to overtime.

Neumann (17-10) will represent the CSAC in the NCAA Tournament. The Knights will learn their fate on Monday, March 2. The selection show is slated to begin at 12:30 PM.