ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball team picked up an exciting 85-83 non-conference victory over local rival Widener University on Friday afternoon.

Neumann was led by a fantastic performance from AAliya Hayes who notched a double-double with 30 points and 13 rebounds in the game. Nafisa Saunders was also superb for the Knights, tallying 21 points in the win. Lauren Legler chipped in with 11 points, while Mariah Maciejewski fell one point shy of a double-double of her own (9 points, 10 rebounds).

The first quarter would be a back and forth affair in which both teams would lead. Widener would finish the quarter on a high note, hitting a three at the buzzer to take a four point lead into the break.

The Pride would extend their lead to as big as six points to open the second quarter, but Neumann would claw back midway through the stanza, led by seven of Hayes' points. The Knights would close out the quarter on a 13-7 run to bring the score level headed to halftime at 38-38. Hayes would lead Neumann in scoring in the half with 14 points, while Saunders added 11 of her own.

Widener would use three-point shooting to jump back out to a lead in the third quarter. The Pride would knock down a trio of three-pointers, including a buzzer beater at the end of the quarter to take an eight point lead into the final period.

Despite the deficit, the Knights would rally back once again in the fourth. After a Widener layup to make the score 72-62, Neumann would go on a 19-9 run to tie the score at 81-81 with just 2:07 left to play. Hayes was once again the centerpiece of the comeback, notching 10 of those 19 points on the run. The senior guard was not done there though, as she added another bucket at the 1:26 mark to give the Knights their first lead since the second quarter.

Widener would tie the game with just over a minute to play, but the Knights would keep their offensive momentum rolling in the final minute. Maciejewski and Saunders would each draw fouls in the game's final minute and knock down one free-throw apiece to give the Knights a two point lead with just six seconds left to play. The Pride would have a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but a Maciejewski block as time expired sealed the win for the Knights. The win capped off a memorable day at the Mirenda Center, as the Knights also honored long-time fan Jerry Dallahan who passed away suddenly earlier this month.

Neumann (4-5) is back in action on Tuesday, January 3^rd as it hosts Colonial States Athletic Conference rival Notre Dame of Maryland University. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM.