BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball team fell to William Paterson University 61-54 on Sunday afternoon in the consolation game of the Steel Club Classic at Moravian College.
 
Kiara Stovall netted 12 points to lead the Knights. Jaylin Ortiz added 11 points and seven rebounds and was named to the All-Tournament team.
 
With the teams knotted at five early in the game, a three-pointer by Ortiz started an 11-3 run for the Knights to wrap up the first half and take a 16-8 lead. Neumann and William Paterson went back and forth during the second quarter and the Knights held a 27-19 advantage at the half.
 
Midway through the third quarter, the Pioneers pulled to within three, 31-28. Both teams then went on a three-and-a-half minute scoring drought. William Paterson connected on two free throws and Kortni Taylor followed with a layup to break the scoreless streak. The teams featured three knotted scores over the final two-and-a-half minutes of the quarter. The Pioneers sank two free throws to take a 39-38 lead into the final 10 minutes.
 
Halfway through the final quarter, two free throws by Lauren Leicht gave Neumann a 49-48 lead. William Paterson went on a 12-1 run to take a 10-point lead, 60-50, with under a minute remaining in regulation. Stovall netted four more points for the Knights before the buzzer, but it wasn't enough as they fell 61-54.
 
Neumann (4-9) will open conference action on Wednesday evening. The Knights will host Cabrini beginning at 6:00 PM as part of the Atlantic East doubleheader.