BALTIMORE, Md. – The Neumann University women's basketball team defeated Notre Dame of Maryland University 84-77 on Wednesday evening in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) match-up.
 
Nafisa Saunders led the Knights with 28 points. Mariah Maciejewski had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Lauren Legler netted 12 points and AAliya Hayes added 10.
 
The first quarter was a battle with eight tied scores, including knotted at 18 with 1:30 left in the first. Shauntel Williams hit a layup and Saunders connected on a three-pointer for a five point advantage. The teams traded the final two baskets and the Knights took a 25-20 lead after the first 10 minutes.
 
Williams opened the scoring in the second quarter. The Knights started to build up their lead and on a layup by Leger, Neumann took a 35-24 advantage. The Gators chipped back to within four, 40-36, with 2:21 left before halftime. The Knights finished the half on an 8-2 run to take a 48-38 lead into the break.
 
Neumann maintained its double-digit lead throughout the third quarter and took a 68-52 lead into the final 10 minutes. With 6:47 left in regulation, the Knights led 80-54. The Gators were not going to go away and started to work on the deficit. Notre Dame scored the next 14 points for an 80-68 game. A layup by Maciejewski broke the scoreless drought for Neumann. The Gators cut the lead to 10, 82-72, with 1:53 left on the clock. A jumper by Saunders put the Knights back up by 12. Notre Dame scored the game's final five points and Neumann hung on for the 84-77 win.
 
Neumann (17-7, 12-3 CSAC) will wrap up the regular season on Saturday as it heads to Marywood. The key game for CSAC postseason seeding will begin at 1:00 PM.