WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team fell to Widener University 82-75 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship game on Sunday afternoon.
The game marked the end of three careers at Neumann as seniors
Tyaire Hudson,
Billy Cassidy and
Adam Robinson played in their final contest.
Hudson and
Raquan Brown-Johnson were named to the All-Tournament team. Brown-Johnson averaged 22.5 points in the four contests, including 46 points in the first round win at Drew. Hudson added 22.0 points over the four contests. He netted 32 points in the semifinal win over Medaille.
Brown-Johnson led the team with 18 points, including four three-pointers.
Aaron Johnson-Chavis and
Isaiah Wilmore each netted 14 points. Hudson scored 13 points and added six assists. Cassidy finished with nine points.
The first half was tight as the teams traded baskets and the entire 20 minutes. There were eight tied scores and 11 lead changes. The Pride netted the last basket of the first half to take a slim 41-40 lead into halftime.
Widener scored the first six points of the second half for a seven point lead. Neumann then went on an 8-0 run to take a one point lead, 48-47. With the teams tied for ninth time in the contest, 51-51 with 13:26 on the clock, the Pride went on a 16-6 run to take a 10 point lead. With just under three minutes remaining in regulation, the Knights climbed back to within two, 72-70.
Widener would score six of the next eight points for a four point lead, 78-72. Brown-Johnson hit a three-pointer with 21 seconds on the clock to get back within three. The Pride hit two free throws to build back a five point lead. Widener hit a layup in the final second to seal the win.
Neumann finishes the season 23-9 overall. The Knights were the runners-up in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) and the ECAC. With the 23 wins, Coach Rullo climbs to 107 wins over his five seasons. Rullo picked up his 100
th win with the Knights back on January 31
st with an 84-64 win at Marywood University.
