ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Neumann University men's basketball team fell to Utica College 78-60 on Saturday evening in the first day of the 2019 Holiday Inn Rochester Downtown Tournament.
 
Anthony Mitchell led the Knights with 16 points. Nasir Cassel netted nine points and Haneef Vaughn added eight. Mitchell and Sanoussi Abdourhamane each grabbed eight rebounds.
 
The first half was very balanced between the two teams with five tied scores and eight lead changes. The Pioneers netted the final basket of the half to take a slim 32-30 lead into halftime.
 
The second half started like the first half. However, with the Knights holding a 36-35 lead, the Pioneers went on an 11-2 run to take a 46-38 lead with 15:26 on the clock. Neumann chipped its way into the deficit and pulled to within one, 52-51, with eight minutes left in regulation. Utica answered by scoring the next seven points to extend its lead back to eight. The Pioneers continued to add to its lead throughout the rest of regulation to come away with the 78-60 win.
 
Neumann (4-4) will face Keuka College in the consolation game tomorrow afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 PM.