Fisher's Big Night Not Enough; Lions Fall At Neumann

ASTON, Pennsylvania -- Despite a career-high 33 points from James Fisher Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa./Upper Darby), the Penn State Brandywine men's basketball team was defeated 91-80 by Neumann as the teams squared off for the second time in four days on Wednesday night at the Mirenda Center.

Fisher connected on 10-of-17 shots from the field, including 7-of-11 attempts from beyond the arc, and added six free throws. He also dished out a game-high five assists, while playing all 40 minutes.

Fisher caught fire during the opening half, drilling five triples as Brandywine led for a majority of the opening 20 minutes. Cyrie Spencer (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) gave the Lions their largest edge of the half, 36-27, by canning a three-pointer at the 6:10 mark.

However, the Knights (2-1) closed out the half with a 21-7 run that catapulted them into the half with a 48-43 edge.

Neumann's lead bulged to six before Brandywine rallied with an 11-2 spurt spanning just 92 seconds. Chris Lyons (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) converted a layup and Fisher drilled a three-pointer and completed a four-point play after being fouled. Lyons added a lay in and Pat O'Neill (Morton, Pa./Ridley) completed the surge by nailing a jumper at the 14:03 mark.

DeShawn Lowman scored the Knights' next five points as Neumann retook the lead, but Fisher answered with a triple to put Brandywine back in front. Following Fisher's three-pointer, the Lions went ice cold from the field and Neumann took advantage, building a six-point lead.

With 5:35 remaining, Fisher sank 1-of-2 free throws to bring the Lions within four, but Neumann used an 8-2 spurt to push the lead to double figures.

The Lions were able to slice the Knights' edge to seven twice during the final minutes, but could not overcome the deficit.

Spencer produced a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Dimitri Burton (Philadelphia, Pa./Paul Roberson) added 10 points and Amir Davis (Philadelphia, Pa./Walter Palmer Charter) tallied nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Brandywine, which made 46 percent (27-59) of its shots from the floor, drilled 13 three-pointers, but struggled from the free throw line, making just 13-of-24 attempts.

Brandywine (0-3) begins conference play on Saturday when hosting Penn State Lehigh Valley at 3:00 pm.