CHESTER, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team battled to a 92-85 win over Widener University on Friday evening in opening round action of the Widener Tip-Off for Autism Awareness.
 
Jalen Vaughns led Neumann with a double-double, 26 points and 10 rebounds. Kyson Rawls netted 20 points and Tyler Norwood added 12, going 8-for-8 from the line.
 
The first five minutes of the game saw four lead changes and a tied score. With the Pride leading 15-14 midway through the half, they went on an 11-5 run over the next five minutes for a 25-19 edge. Widener's lead was as large as eight during the half, including a 36-28 lead with 2:48 on the clock. The Knights ended the half with a 7-1 run for a two-point game, 37-35, at the break.
 
Widener held the lead until midway through the second half when two free throws by Ryan Starr tied the game at 59, then put Neumann up by one, 60-59. The Pride took the lead back on a three-pointer. A three-pointer by Rawls with 7:17 on the clock started a 13-4 run over the next four minutes as the Knights took the lead and built up an 80-72 advantage. The Pride pulled to with three twice over the final four minutes. Norwood went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 20 seconds to seal the win.
 
Neumann (3-0) will face Stockton University in the Championship game tomorrow at 4:00 PM.