ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball team defeated Misericordia University 70-66 in the Championship game of the Neumann Tip-Off Tournament on Sunday afternoon.
 
Freshman Minika Glenn was named the tournament MVP. Junior Mariah Maciejewski and freshman Kristen Denoncour were named to the All-Tournament team.
 
Glenn led the Knights with 22 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Denoncour added 11 points and eight boards. Lauren Legler netted 10 points while Maciejewski tallied nine points and seven rebounds.
 
Numbers wise, the games was very similar, with both teams going 25-for-63 from the floor and each team hitting four three-pointers. The difference in the game came at the free-throw line. The Cougars were 12-for-17 while the Knights hit 16-for-21.
 
It took two minutes of game time before Maciejewski netted the first points of the game. However, the Cougars then went onto score 11 of the next 13 points for an 11-4 score. Legler broke the streak with a three-pointer. The teams traded baskets down stretch. Denoncour hit a last second shot, but the Cougars took a 17-11 lead after the first 10 minutes.
 
With Misericordia leading 24-15, Neumann started to make its move, more specifically Glenn started to make her move. Glenn went on to score 12 straight points in the final 4:11 of the half. The freshman hit a three-pointer with 2:13 on the clock to give the Knights a 25-24 lead. She hit another layup before the half and Glenn and the Knights took a 27-24 lead into halftime.
 
Lauren Leicht opened the second half with a three-pointer, followed by two free throws by Erin Baker to build a 32-24 Knights lead. The Cougars scored the next five points, but Leicht scored five straight points to give Neumann back the eight point lead. Neumann built a lead as large as 10 during the quarter and took a 46-37 lead into the final 10 minutes.
 
Misericordia was not going to go quietly. Neumann held onto its nine point lead until midway through the quarter, 57-48. The Cougars started to chip their way back into the game by scoring the next six points. The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes. Misericordia hit a three-pointer with 1:03 on the clock to get to within one, 65-64.
 
Free throws were crucial in the final minute. Legler went 3-for-4 from the line over the next 30 seconds to put the Knights back up by four. The Cougars hit two free throws of their own with 12 seconds left in regulation for a two point game. Legler went right back to the line and hit again her two free throws to regain the four point advantage. Misericordia got the ball back and attempted a three with the hopes of a rare four-point play, but the shot did not go and the Knights held on for the 70-66 win.
 
Neumann (2-1) will head on the road for the first time this season as it heads to Widener on Tuesday evening. Action is slated to get underway at 5:30 PM.
 
 
 
2017 Neumann Tip-Off All-Tournament Team
MVP: Minika Glenn
Mariah Maciejewski, Neumann
Kristen Denoncour, Neumann
Japriya Carroll, Misericordia
Paige Wampole, Misericordia
Nikki Velez, Penn State Brandywine