HARTFORD, Conn. – The Neumann University men's basketball team fell at No. 4 Trinity College (Conn.) 76-60 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday evening.
 
DJ Earl led the Knights with 25 points, including going 8-for-9 from the line. TJ Lewis netted eight points. Donte Dupriest, Bryan Etienne and Jarell Keel each added six.
 
Earl opened the scoring with a jumper the Knights held an 8-6 lead at the first timeout. Trinity took its first lead of the game, 12-11, with a layup with 12:30 on the clock. After a three-and-a-half minute scoring drought for both teams, Earl tied the game at 12, going 1-for-2 from the line.
 
The Bantams went on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes for a 22-12 advantage. Earl broke the scoreless drought with a layup-and-one for a 22-15 score. At the last timeout of the half, a layup by Keel pulled the Knights to within three, 27-24. A basket by Dupriest as the buzzer sounded brought Neumann to within two, 32-30, at halftime.
 
Etienne's basket to open the second half tied the game at 32. Trinity then went on a 22-3 run, including a 14-0 stretch, for a 54-35 score with 12:14 on the clock. A jumper by Earl broke the scoreless drought. With nine minutes left in regulation, three free-throws by Earl pulled the Knights to within nine, 56-47. Trinity answered with the next six points and led by double-digits the rest of the way.
 
Neumann finishes the season 20-8 overall and as the 2025 Atlantic East Men's Basketball Champion.
 
 
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