ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball team dropped a back-and-forth battle with Saint Elizabeth University, 72-63, on Saturday afternoon in Atlantic East Conference Action.
 
Jess Aponik led the Knights with 19 points and grabbed nine boards. Emily DuPont notched a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds while adding six assists. Lindsay Holden hit four three-pointers for 12 points. Bri Gautier tallied seven points, seven rebounds and five assists.
 
The first half had the teams trading baskets and leads. The first quarter featured five lead changes and seven tied scores. A jumper by the Eagles just before the end of the first quarter put them up by one, 22-21. Saint Elizabeth held the largest lead of the first half, 26-22, just minutes in. After two tied scores and two lead changes, the Eagles took a one-point advantage, 34-33, into halftime.
 
The third quarter was much like the first two with four lead changes and three tied scores. Tied at 46 with 4:09 left on the clock, Saint Elizabeth outscored Neumann 9-3 for a 55-49 lead heading into the final quarter.
 
With the Eagles holding a 59-53 advantage in the fourth quarter, they hit two straight three-pointers to double their lead to 12, 65-53. Gautier connected on a layup, but Saint Elizabeth answered with its third consecutive three-pointer for its largest lead, 68-55, midway through the quarter.
 
The Knights scored the next six points to pull back within seven, 68-61, with two minutes remaining in regulation. The Eagles went 4-for-4 at the line in the final minute to stop any comeback and take away the 72-63 win.
 
Neumann (6-15, 4-6 Atlantic East) hosts Pratt Institute on Wednesday evening. The Atlantic East game tips-off at 7:00 PM.