EWING, N.J. – The Neumann University men's basketball team won the 2022 TCNJ Tip-off Tournament by defeating host The College of New Jersey 63-60 on Saturday evening.
 
Jalen Vaughns notched another double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds. The junior was named to the tournament MVP. TJ Lewis netted 13 points and was named to the All-Tournament team. Ryan Starr added 12 points and handed out six assists.
 
The game came down to the final two minutes of regulation when the teams were knotted at 57. The next basket was a layup by Vaughns to put the Knights up by two wit 90 seconds left on the clock. With 22 seconds remaining, Starr sank two free-throws to increase the lead to four. The Lions answered right back with a three-pointer to pull within one. Vaughns made two free throws with seven seconds left in regulation to take back a three-point lead. TCNJ had a shot at the buzzer to tie the game, but the basket didn't go, and Neumann hung on for the 63-60 win.
 
The Knights held the lead for most of the first half of the first half. With the teams tied at 18 with 9:57 on the clock, the Lions went on an 8-1 run to take a 26-19 edge. TCNJ would lead by as many as nine in the first half. Neumann scored the final four points of the half, and the Lions held a 34-29 lead at the break.
 
The Lions held the lead for the first part of the second half until two free throws by Vaughn tied the game at 40 with 14:48 on the clock. After two lead changes and two tied scores, TCNJ built a seven-point lead, 57-50, with 5:43 left in regulation. The Knights answered with the next seven points to tie the game at 57 and set up the final two minutes.
 
Neumann (3-2) heads up 452 to Penn State Brandywine on Tuesday. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 PM.