ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball team battled against Eastern University on Tuesday evening, falling just short 57-53.
 
Jess Aponik led the Knights with 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists. She went 6-for-6 from the line. Jenna Aponik added 10 points, three steals and three assists. Lindsay Holden and Elaina Guerzon each netted nine points.
 
The Eagles jumped out to an early 7-0 lead to open the game. The Knights pulled within two, 12-10, on a three-pointer from Holden with 1:48 left in the first quarter. Eastern scored five of the final six points of the quarter for a 17-11 score after the first 10 minutes.
 
Neumann opened the second quarter scoring the first seven points. Free throws by Jess Aponik tied the game at 17 and gave the Knights an 18-17 edge. Eastern answered right back with a basket. Guerzon hit a three-pointer for a 22-19 score midway through the quarter. The Eagles hit the only basket made in the final five minutes before halftime and the teams went into the break tied at 22.  
 
The Knights opened the third quarter with an 8-2 run for a 30-24 lead. The Eagles answered with a 16-0 run over four and a half minutes to jump out to a 40-30 advantage. Neumann scored the final five points of the quarter for a 40-35 score heading into the final quarter.
 
Eastern built its lead to nine early in the fourth. Midway through the quarter, a layup by Jess Aponik pulled the Knights to within three, 51-48. A layup by Guerzon made it a one-point game, 53-52, with 1:20 on the clock. Neumann had its chances to complete the comeback but could not get the key basket to fall. Two free throws by the Eagles in the final seconds sealed the game.
 
Neumann (1-6) will host Albright College on Thursday evening as part of a doubleheader with the men. The women tip-off at 5:00 PM.