IMMACULATA, Pa. – Immaculata men's basketball used a strong first half to propel them to a 75-68 win on Saturday over the Neumann University Knights, even with 35 points from Neumann's DJ Earl.
The Mighty Macs are 4-15 for the season. They are 3-5 in conference play.
COACH STRAMARA'S COMMENTS
"Today, the guys executed every aspect of the game plan," head coach
Kyle Stramara said. "We wanted to establish physicality early and rebound at a high level. When you can win the rebound battle, you have a great shot to get a 'W.' Four guys in double figures shows how we shared the ball today. When we play together, we can play with anyone. We will look to carry this momentum into Wednesday.
"[Assistant coaches] Tyler Timson and Josh Grant put together a great scout[ing report] leading into this one. It makes my job easier having good assistants like them."
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST NEUMANN
- Neumann got on the board right away with consecutive triples, but two Mandon Seapoe layups and a Christian Chambers three stopped the visitors' momentum. Robbie Conyer provided a spark off the bench, and a 12-2 Immaculata run put the Mighty Macs up by 12. A quick 5-0 Neumann run within a minute left in the first half cut their deficit to eight. Immaculata led 37-29 after the first 20 minutes.
- Five straight Knights points to open the second half were interrupted by a thunderous Jeremiah Alexander dunk. Chambers was scorching from downtown, converting four of his five triples in the second frame. Immaculata slowly built a double-digit advantage until an 8-0 Neumann push cut the lead to two. Six of the last eight points in that run came from Earl. The Knights tried multiple times to jump ahead, but the Mighty Macs kept them at a distance. Dylan Crews scored the last seven points for Immaculata, all at the foul line, to complete the 75-68 win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Chambers led the team with 16 points and three blocks.
- Duce Jackson had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
- The Mighty Macs outscored the Knights in bench points 25-10.
UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs begin a three-game road trip on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. They will be in Morristown, N.J. to face the Saint Elizabeth University Eagles.
