ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's basketball team defeated Gwynedd Mercy University 71-52 on Wednesday evening in an Atlantic East Conference semifinal contest to advance to the Championship game on Saturday.
 
TJ Lewis led the Knights with 20 points and Kyle Thompson netted 17. Lewis and Thompson netted seven three-pointers combined. Jalen Vaughns tallied another double-double with 13 rebounds and 11 points. Ryan Starr handed out nine assists, scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds.
 
The Griffins came out hot, opening the game with three straight three-pointers and a 9-1 lead. Lewis led the Knights as they started to chip away at the lead. The sophomore scored Neumann's first eight points of the game, including two baskets from beyond the arc. A layup by Vaughns with 14:35 on the clock put Neumann in the lead, 12-11.
 
With the teams knotted 13, Neumann netted the next six points. The Knights continued to build their lead and with 1:28 on the clock, a layup by Justin Smith gave Neumann a double-digit lead, 36-26. Two free throws by Thompson wrapped up the scoring in the first half and the Knights held a 38-26 lead at halftime.
 
The Knights continued to build their lead throughout the second half. Their largest lead came with four minutes left in regulation when Amari Little hit a three-pointer for a 71-42 score. The Griffins ended the game with nine points as the coaches emptied the benches.
 
Neumann (20-6) will face Marymount on Saturday for the 2023 Atlantic East Championship. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 PM in Arlington, Va.