Jan. 18, 2007

Aston, Pa. - On January, 18 Neumann College (7-7, 4-3) defeated Alvernia College (10-3, 5- 1) 61-60 in a Pennsylvania Athletic Conference match up in the Bruder Gymnasium at 8:00 in Aston, Pa.

 

"We needed the win; Alvernia are considered the fashion of the league.  We were struggling and to win the way we did tonight shows a lot of character about our kids" - Head Coach Corey Stitzel said about the Knights win.

 

After tip off the Knights drew first blood by scoring right away, but the Crusaders answered back with a 3-pointer.  The opening 10:00 of the game both teams were battling but Neumann couldn't seem to find a rhythm on offense.  The Knights defense did a good job of containing the fast moving Crusaders, but the Knights couldn't catch a break on the offensive side of the court. 

 

Ronnie Fields (14 points) hit back to back three's to keep the Knights close in the beginning of the half, but Alvernia capitalized on their fast breaks and good offensive shooting giving them a comfortable lead of 22-14 with 6:00 remaining in the first half.  However, the Knights found that rhythm coming from Derahn Patrick (9 points) who gave Neumann the offensive spark they needed. 

 

With 1:30 left in the half Mike Hitchens hit a rainmaker from the outside of the key to tie the game 30-30.  The Knights kept the Crusaders off guard playing physical and drawing a key foul with :25 left on the clock. Darrell Floyd went to the line and gave the Knights the lead by sinking 1 of 2 free throws making the score 31-30 Neumann at the half.

 

In the beginning of the second half Alvernia in-bounded the ball and scored, taking the lead from Neumann.  The Knights showed good defense and kept the Crusaders from pulling away with a big lead.  Every time the Crusaders gained an edge the Knights came back fighting, giving them a chance to take a lead. 

 

Just like the first half the second half equally exciting, especially when it came down to the final 3:00 of the game when Neumann found some life and starting making plays on both sides of the court.  Nasheed Linton (8 points) was all over the court causing turnovers when the Knights needed it.  With 1:00 left on the clock Linton drew a foul and made both free throws to cut the Crusaders lead to one making the score 58-57.  Shortly after Leon Dales (8 points) also drew a foul sinking both of his free throws giving the Knights the lead 59-58 with 43 seconds left on the clock. 

 

Alvernia drew a foul with 22 seconds remaining and sunk both of their free throws giving them the lead 59-60.  The Knights in-bounded the ball and handed it off to DJ Fritz (8 points, 4 rebounds) who sunk a jump shot hitting the game winning basket with :11 seconds on the clock.  The Knights Defense then closed out the final seconds of the game with a "Barn-Burning" 61-60 win over the Crusaders who were undefeated in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference. 

 

The Knights next match will be a Pennsylvania Athletic Conference meeting at Cabrini College at 3:00