ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team picked up a 66-64 win over New Jersey City University in its first game of the Rinso Marquette Tournament at Lebanon Valley College on Friday evening.
Jalen Vaughns led the Knights with 19 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Ryan Starr hit four three-pointers en route to his 18 points. Starr also handed out five assists. Kyle Thompson scored 11 points off the bench.
The first six minutes were back and forth with four lead changes. A layup by Vaughns was the fifth lead change of the half to put the Knights up 10-9. Neumann led throughout the rest of the half, leading by as many as seven. Vaughns hit the last basket of the half and the Knights took a 36-33 lead at the break.
The second half was much like the first, again with the largest lead coming at seven for the Knights. The latest seven-point lead came with 5:45 on the clock as Vaughns hit layup for a 60-53 score. The teams traded baskets down the stretch and the Gothic Knights would pull within two a few times. Starr connected on one of his three-pointers with 18 seconds left in regulation for a 66-61 edge. NJCU hit a basket from downtown as the buzzer sounded, but it wasn't enough, and the Knights held on for the 66-64 win.
Neumann (1-1) will face host Lebanon Valley tomorrow in the Championship game of the Rinso Marquette Tournament. Tip-off is slated for 3:00 PM.
