ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team overcame a slow start and hit the century mark in a 101-83 win over Marywood University on Saturday afternoon in the Atlantic East Conference opener.
 
Tony James led four Knights in double-figures with 25 points. TJ Lewis tallied 22 points, going 11-for-11 from the line and dished out six assists. Kyle Thompson added 21 points off the bench and was 10-for-12 from the line. Jalen Vaughns had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. James and Lewis each grabbed eight boards.
 
The Pacers came out on fire and scored the first eight points of the game. With the help of 10-three pointers in the first half, Marywood held the lead for most of the half. Neumann was not going to give up easily and with 3:22 on the clock a three-pointer by Lewis tied the game at 31. A free throw by Lewis with 1:48 on the clock gave the Knights their only lead of the half, 36-35. Marywood answered with two of its three-pointers. Thompson ended the half with a three-pointer and the Pacers held a 41-39 edge at the half.
 
Marywood opened the second half with a 6-2 run for a 47-41 score. A jumper by James with 15:13 on the clock tied the game at 49. Over the next four minutes the teams had five lead changes and two tied scores. Knotted at 58, Neumann netted the next six points. The Knights would not trail again, but the Pacers tied the game a couple more times.
 
The final tie came with 7:01 on the clock and the score knotted at 71. A minute later, Thompson was fouled, and the Pacers also took a technical foul. Thompson sank all four free throws. The graduate student followed with a three-pointer for a 78-71 lead. A jumper by James with 3:15 left in regulation put the Knights up by double-digits for the first time. Neumann did not let up and connected on baskets and took advantage of free throws to come away with the 101-83 win.
 
With the win, head coach Jim Rullo gets his 300^th win as a head coach. Coach Rullo had 138 at Malvern Prep before coming to Neumann. He has compiled 162 wins so far at Neumann over his 10 seasons.
 
Neumann (11-3, 1-0 Atlantic East) heads to Marymount on Wednesday night for more conference action. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 PM.