ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball team fell late to Centenary University in Atlantic East Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
 
Bri Gautier and Emily DuPont each scored 18 points for the Knights. Jess Aponik added 12 points, seven blocks and three blocks.
 
The Knights held an edge for most of the first quarter. A jumper by Aponik before the buzzer gave Neumann a 17-14 lead after the first 10 minutes. While holding a 19-18 advantage, the Knights went on a 9-2 run for a 28-20 lead. Gautier finished the half with a jumper and Neumann took a 34-24 lead into the break.
 
With 3:55 left in the third quarter, the Knights held their largest lead of the game, 50-36. The Cyclones finished the quarter on a 10-3 run to cut the lead to seven, 53-46.
 
The Cyclones scored the first four points of the fourth quarter for a three-point game, 53-50. Two free throws by Gautier gave Neumann a 58-52 edge before Centenary scored the next 10 points to take a 62-58 lead. A jumper by Elaina Guerzon broke the run, but the Cyclones scored the next six for a 68-60 score with 1:09 left on the clock.
 
Another layup by Guerzon and two free throws by Gautier pulled the Knights to within four, 68-64, with 43 seconds remaining in regulation. The Cyclones went 4-for-6 from the line in the final minute to keep the Knights from coming back. Gautier scored the final basket of the game, but it wasn't enough for the 72-66 final.
 
Neumann (4-13, 2-4 Atlantic East) heads to Pratt Institute on Wednesday to continue conference action beginning at 7:00 PM.