ALLENTOWN, Pa.— The Neumann University men's basketball team fell in a close 72-71 contest with Muhlenberg College in the Scotty Wood Tournament Championship on Saturday evening.
 
Haneef Vaughn led Neumann in the contest with 25 points, four assists and eight rebounds, while Anthony Mitchell followed with 18 points and eight rebounds. Sanoussi Abdourhamane and Waheem Lowman each added eight points on the night as well.
 
Both teams came out strong to begin the tough matchup, but the Mules were the first to start a five-point scoring gap five minutes into the contest. Seven minutes in, Mitchell tied the game up with two free throws at 11-11. As the half continued, the Mules took the lead by 10 points with less six minutes remaining in the half with a score of 30-20. The Knights continued battling against Muhlenberg, but only could break down the lead to seven points going into halftime 41-34.
 
As the second half began, the Mules were not backing down against Neumann and held the Knights back while taking the lead to 12 points three minutes into the half. At the midway point of the half, the gap was cut in half with two more free throws from Vaughn, making it a 52-48 game. With nine minutes left in the contest Neumann took its first lead since early in the game with a layup by Vaughn, and four minutes later another layup which led to a seven-point lead. In the last two minutes of the game the Mules shut the lead down and took the 72-71 win.
 
Neumann (3-3) will prepare to travel to Bryn Athyn, Pa. for a non-conference contest on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.