GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team used a big second half to defeat Gwynedd Mercy University 102-85 on Wednesday evening in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) semifinal contest.
 
Tyaire Hudson and Aaron Johnson-Chavis each scored 25 points in the win. Jordan Collins tallied a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Raquan Brown-Johnson added 15 points.
 
Over the first five minutes of the game, there were seven lead changes. The Griffins started to work on a lead and with 3:40 left before halftime held a 41-32 advantage. The Knights then went on an 8-0 run to get to within one. Two free throws by GMU and a jumper by Collins wrapped up the half with the Griffins taking a slim one point lead, 45-44, into the break.
 
After the teams started the second half trading the first couple baskets, a three-pointer by Billy Cassidy put the Knights in the lead during a 16-0 run. With 15:38 on the clock, Neumann had built a 64-51 lead. Over the next four minutes, GMU chipped its way back to within three, 67-64. With a 69-66 score, Neumann went on another run, this time eight straight points, to increase its lead, 77-66.
 
With seven minutes still on the clock, the Knights kept the pressure on and the closest the Griffins would get during the rest of regulation was nine points. With 1:46 left, Neumann held its largest lead up to that point, 96-80. A layup by Hudson with 37 seconds on the clock put the Knights at the 100 point mark for the game. The Knights also went 6-for-6 from the line in the final two minutes to seal the win and advance to the championship.
 
Neumann (20-7) will face Cabrini for the 2018 CSAC Championship on Saturday. The game is slated to begin at 7:00 PM. The women's team will also face Cabrini, beginning at 4:00 PM.