ST. DAVID'S, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team overcame a 12-point halftime deficit but fell at Eastern University 92-90 in overtime on Tuesday evening.
Jalen Vaughns led the Knights with another double-double, 30 points and 11 rebounds.
TJ Lewis netted 23 points, eight boards and handed out nine assists.
Kyle Thompson hit four three-pointers, including the one to send the game to overtime, and finished with 22 points.
Ja'bri White added eight points, six rebounds and three blocks.
Over the first five-plus minutes of the game, there were four lead changes and one tied score. With the Eagles leading by one, 12-11, they built a 34-22 advantage over the next seven minutes. Eastern's largest lead came with two minutes before halftime, 45-28. A jumper by Lewis before the break made the score 47-35.
Vaughns hit a layup to start the second hand and the Knights went on to score the first 12 points, erasing the halftime deficit, and tie the game at 47 with 15:36 on the clock.
The teams went on to have six tied scores over the rest of regulation. The game was knotted at 73 with 1:03 remaining in regulation, Lewis went 1-for-2 from the line with 28 seconds on the clock. Eastern answered with a layup to take back the lead. The Eagles then stole the ball and took a three-point advantage, 77-74, on a dunk with 12 seconds left. With four second left in regulation, Thompson hit a three-pointer from the corner to tie the game and send it to overtime.
The teams traded free throws to open OT and a minute in the teams remained tied. The Eagles scored the next four points for a four-point advantage. The teams traded free throws again and a layup by White brought the Knights to within two, 85-83, with just under two minutes on the clock.
The teams continued to trade baskets. With eight seconds left, the Eagles made 1-of-2 from the line for a four-point lead, 91-84. Thompson answered and hit a three from way beyond the arc to keep the Knights within one, Easten went 1-for-2 from the line again and Neumann had a last second shot for the tie or win with two seconds left. The Knights could not get a shot off and the Eagles held on the for 92-90 overtime win.
Neumann (2-6) will host Penn State Harrisburg on Thursday evening. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 PM.
