READING, Pa. – The Neumann University Men's Basketball team headed west for the opener of the Double Tree Holiday Tournament against the host Albright College, falling by a final score of 81-68.
 
The opening minutes of the game were tight with neither team taking more than a three point lead over the first four minutes. With 13:03 left in the first, Neumann went on an 8-0 run, capped off by a Zaiyin Keys layup, giving the Knights a 21-18 lead. The Lions responded by locking down the defense with a 10-2 run over the next seven minutes to regain the lead by five. Neumann exploded with another eight point stretch, finished by a Bernard Lightsey three pointer with 12 seconds left, to take a 31-28 lead into the break.
 
To start the second half, both teams traded points for the first two minutes, but Albright went on a 13-1 run to open up their biggest lead of the game at 10, just five minutes into the frame. Just before the midway point of the half, the Lions continued to open things up with a seven point stretch, extending the lead to 17. The Knights tried to chip away at the deficit, going on a 10-0 run to pull with six but, Albright put the game away thanks to a 12-2 run with just over two minutes left in the game.
 
Jalen Vaughns led the Knights with a double-double, nailing 21 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, including five offensive boards. TJ Lewis followed with 20 points, adding a team-high five assists.
 
Neumann(2-10) will return to action tomorrow for the consolation game against SUNY Cortland. The game is scheduled for a 2:00 PM start and will be hosted by Albright.