MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The Neumann University Women's Basketball played their first game in over three weeks and dropped a 66-49 decision against Franklin & Marshall College on Monday evening in the opener of the Mike Scala Holiday Tournament, hosted by Montclair State University.
Neither team showed much rust in their first game after the break as the Knights started off with a 4-1 lead, but Franklin & Marshall followed with a 7-0 run for an 8-4 lead with 4:36 left in the opening quarter. Neumann came right back with eight straight points as part of an 11-3 push to close the first with a 15-11 lead.
The Diplomats came out for the second quarter with considerable jump in their step as they put together a nine-point run over the first 3:07 for a 20-15 edge. After a Knights made free-throw, Franklin & Marshall continued to pour on the offense with another 9-0 run to lead by 13 with 3:24 left. Neumann closed out the half by scoring four of the final six points to make it a 31-20 game at the break.
After the Knights opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 4-2 run, the Diplomats took off on an eight-point run over two and a half minutes for a 41-24 lead. Neumann responded with the next six points in less than a minute. Franklin & Marshall picked up 9 of the last 12 points for a 17-point lead heading into the final quarter.
The Knights landed the first five points of the quarter, all on free throws, in an attempt to turn the tide but the Diplomats charged along with seven of the next 10 points to maintain their double-digit edge with 4:15 left. The teams traded points for the duration of the contest as Franklin & Marshall clinched the win.
Emily DuPont led the offensive effort with a 13-point performance. She also tied for the team lead in steals with
Bri Gautier with three each and led the Knights with five rebounds.
Jess Aponik contributed eight points to go with six points each by
Lindsay Holden,
Tessa Mullins, and Gautier.
Neumann (2-8) will conclude the Mike Scala Holiday Tournament by challenging the hosts, Montclair State University on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 PM.
