ASTON, Pa.- The Mighty Mac men's basketball team (10-11, 4-4) travelled to Neumann (10-11, 1-7) looking to sweep the Knights, but the Macs were unable to hold onto their first half lead and the Macs couldn't take the lead late in an 84-81 loss to the Knights.  With four games remaining, the Macs are in a tie for third place in the Atlantic East Conference at 4-4.
 
Senior Mike PIekarski was outstanding with 30 points and seven boards while sophomore John McArthur had 18 points and sophomore Brandon McCullough added 14.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Neumann started hot with a 12-2 spurt to start the game in the opening four minutes
-IU made that early lead disappear with a 10-0 run right back on the strength of eight straight from McArthur and a jumper by Piekarski
-A Piekarski three pointer midway through the first half put the Macs up 20-15
-The score was tied at 25-25 with seven minutes to go and the Macs then went on a 14-2 run over the next three minutes to build their largest lead of the game.  McCullough and Piekarski combined for nine points in the run
-Neumann bounced back a little to end the half and the Macs led 44-38 at the break
-The Macs led through the opening four and half minutes until Neumann took a 53-52 lead with 15 minutes left in the game
-The game would be on the see-saw over the next nine minutes and would be tied three times, the final time at 67-67 with 6:39 to go
-Neumann went on a 10-2 run in the next three minutes that put them up eight with 3:31 to go, but the Mighty Macs clawed their way back into the game
-Trailing 79-71 with three minutes left, Piekarski hit back-to-back threes, and followed a Neumann bucket, sophomore Asa Kitchen hit a shot and Piekarski converted two free throws to tie the game at 81-81 with 1:26 remaining
-Neumann re-took the lead with 49 seconds left on a pair of free throws, and the Macs attempted to tie, but a pair of misses and turnover allowed Neumann to add another free throw to put them up three.  A last second heave by McCullough was off the mark and the Macs fell by three
 
TEAM COMPARISON
-Neumann was very efficient from the field at 29-for-54 (53.7%) and the Macs were 29-for-69 (42%)
-Both teams knocked down 13 three pointers, the Macs were 10-for-13 (76.9%) from the line and the Knights were 13-for-17 (76.5%)
-Neumann held a slim 35-32 rebounding advantage
-Immaculata forced 20 turnovers and turned it over only 13 times
 
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
-Points: Piekarski 30, McArthur 18, McCullough 14
-Assists: McCullough 6, McArthur 2, Bailey 2, Piekarski 2, Allen 2
-Rebounds: McArthur 7, Piekarski 7, Ambrose 6
-Steals: Piekarski 3, Allen 3
 
UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs will make their first ever conference trip to Marymount for a 3 p.m. tip off on Saturday