Dec. 22, 2006

Box Score

Aston, Pa. - Despite the efforts of Mike Hitchens and Derahn Patrick who were perfect from the line, the Neumann Knights were unable break Shippensburg's winning streak, which extended to four after a 72-50 win over the Knights, in men's basketball action this evening.

 

Neumann created numerous opportunities but was unable to capitalize, connecting on just 15 of 77 shots attempted. The Knights' defense played hard but could not stop their division-II opponent from opening the game on a 17-point run and taking a 21-point lead at the half.

 

Neumann's first points of the night came from a set of Derahn Patrick free throws with 8 minutes remaining in the first half making it a 20-4 game. Captain Ronnie Fields scored two back to back buckets followed by a Mike Hitchens three pointer and two foul shots good for 5 Knight points. Fields finished out the first half with a single bucket from the charity stripe making it a 37-16 game.

 

Neumann tried to close the gap on the Raiders in the second half but would come no closer than 13-points away from the Raiders lead at any given time in the second half.

 

The Knights were led by Mike Hitchens with 11 points and James Swigget with 12 rebounds. DJ Fritz added 4 steals in the loss which drops the Knights to 6-4 on the season.

 

Shippensburg was led by Jamal Williams with 16 points, 11 rebounds and Alex Jones and Chuck Davis who had 12 points each for the Raiders.

 

The Knights will be off until the New Year, but will return to action on January 6, 2007 at home against Rowan University at 1:00 p.m.