ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball team fell to Immaculata University 66-56 on Monday evening in an Atlantic East Conference first round match-up.
 
Nafisa Saunders netted 34 points to lead the Knights. Mariah Maciejewski grabbed 15 rebounds and handed out four assists.
 
The Knights scored the first four points of the contest. The Mighty Macs got going with a 10-2 run for a 10-6 lead. Immaculata took a 15-11 edge into the first break.
 
Immaculata opened the second quarter with a 14-5 run for a 39-16 advantage. Two free throws by Saunders started six straight points for Neumann. The Mighty Macs held a 32-24 lead at halftime.
 
The Knights came out of the break and scored the first 13 points of the half to take a 37-32 lead. The Mighty Macs netted the next five points and the teams were knotted at 37. Immaculata went on a 7-1 run to take back a 44-38 advantage. Neumann scored the final three points of the quarter for a 44-41 score heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
The Mighty Macs lead ranged from three to six points over most of the fourth quarter. With 2:41 left in regulation, an Immaculata free throw increased its lead to seven, 57-50. Neither team would score a point for over a minute. Saunders scored Neumann's final eight points of the contest, with six coming in the final minute. However, the Mighty Macs went 9-for-10 from the line over the final 1:25 of regulation to seal the win.
 
Neumann (14-12) will now wait for the ECAC Tournament announcement next Monday to see if its season will continue.