ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team will travel to Gwynedd Mercy University for the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship game on Saturday afternoon.
 
No. 2 seeded Neumann defeated No. 3 seeded Cabrini College on Wednesday night by a score of 76-75 to advance to the Championship.
 
In the semifinals, Darian Barnes notched a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds. He also blocked four shots. James Butler contributed 18 points and three steals and DeShawn Lowman netted 16 points. Tyaire Hudson had a personal season high 9 assists.  
 
Gwynedd Mercy enters the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. During the regular season, The Knights went 1-1 during the regular season against the Griffins, handing them their only CSAC loss of the season. Each team won on the opponent's court.
 
In early December, the Knights strong start was not enough as they fell to the Griffins 102-92. Neumann scored 11 of first 13 points to take an early 11-2 lead, but Gwynedd took hold and outscored the Knights for the rest of the half. Each team went on runs in the second half, but after Gwynedd took a 19 point lead, the Knights were not able to get closer than nine in the second part of the half.
 
Kevin Green led five Knights in double-digits with 23 points and five three-pointers. Lowman tallied 22 points while Butler scored 17. Denzel Yard scored 13 with Hudson finishing with 12. The Knights shot 48.7% from the floor for the game.
 
In their second meeting, Neumann handed Gwynedd their first CSAC loss. The Knights were on the board first and they never trailed the rest of the game. Leading 45-36 at halftime, Neumann went on a 12-4 run to lead 57-40 and led by double digits the first 10 minutes of the second half. Gwynedd got to within three, but the Knights began a 9-2 run to take back their double-digit advantage and secure the win.
 
Lowman led five Knights in double-digits with 21 points. Butler tallied 18 points and nine rebounds. Yard scored 13 points and handed out 10 assists for a double-double. Barnes added 12 points and nine rebounds. Tony Parker rounded out the double-figures with 11 points.
 
This is the third straight appearance for the Knights in the CSAC Championship game. Last season, Neumann won its first title last season. The Knights, winners in 11 of their last 12 games, is 8-4 on the road this season and 7-1 against CSAC foes away from the Mirenda Center.
 
Tip-off for the Championship game is slated for 3:00 PM in Gwynedd Valley, Pa. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.