CLINTON, N.Y. – The Neumann University men's basketball team picked up its first win of the young season 109-81 over Vermont State University – Lyndon on Saturday evening in the first game of the Hamilton Men's Basketball Tournament.
 
Kyle Thompson led the Knights with 29 points in the game, including four baskets from beyond the arc. Jalen Vaughns added 26 points. TJ Lewis tallied 13 points and Darnelle Forrest added 11. Vaughns added nine rebounds and Lewis grabbed eight.
 
The Knights opened the game by scoring the first seven points and never trailed in the contest. A jumper by Thompson just over three minutes into the game put Neumann up by double-digits, 13-2. Midway through the first half, the Hornets pulled to within three, 26-23. Neumann answered with an 8-0 to build its lead back to 11, 34-23. Vermont State – Lydon wasn't going away quietly and came back to within four, 53-49, in the final minute before halftime. Vaughns hit the final basket in the half for a 55-49 lead at the break.
 
The Hornets scored the first five points of the second half to pull within one, 55-54. The Knights answered with a 9-0 run to extend their lead back to 10, 64-54. From there, Neumann held a double-digit lead for most of the time left in regulation. A three-pointer by Thompson with 3:20 on the clock put the Knights over the century mark.
 
Neumann (1-2) will play in the Championship game tomorrow at 2:00 PM. The Knights host Hamilton College.