ASTON, PA- The Highlanders played a tough game against one of the CSAC's highest-powered offenses in the Neumann University Knights, losing by a final score of 64-97.
 
Anticipating a high-scoring game, Coach Jason O'Connell employed a pressure to defense in the first half, in the hopes of speeding up the Neumann attack to unsustainable measures. The strategy worked like a charm over the first fourteen minutes, as the quickness of Donovan McCrae and the length of Malachi Hall forced the Knights into tough shots, and Antoine Nunnally (who has made incredible strides since the break) gobbled up seemingly every Knight miss. Unfortunately, a flurry of three pointers from Neumann sharpshooters Billy Cassidy and Gemil Holbrook, in addition to 10 first half offensive rebounds, stretched the Knights lead to 14 points at the end of the first half. Already shorthanded due to injury, the Highlanders were forced to play with foul trouble looming over their starting forwards Jordan Koczman and Antoine Nunnally in the second half. The forwards performed admirably as Koczman managed 8 second half points, but Neumann was able to take advantage of the Highlanders more subdued play to dominate the boards and shoot 63% from inside the arc in the second half. The Knights stretched their lead and the Highlanders eventually fell by a final score of 64-97.
 
Nunnally finished for his third straight top-notch performance, as the freshman is averaging 12 points and 11.3 rebounds over the three game span. Koczman led the Highlanders with 14 points and Seth Brunner made two three pointers in the second half, finishing with 8 points for the game.
 
The Highlanders host Gwynedd Mercy University at 3:00 PM this Saturday, in search of a crucial win to bring their record one game closer to .500.