BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Pratt Institute men's basketball team fell to Neumann University, 70-52, in an Atlantic East Conference matchup on Wednesday evening at the Activity Resource Center. First-year Kurt Thomas (Dallas, Texas) led the Cannoneers with 15 points.
Pratt (11-11, 3-8 Atlantic East) forced 23 turnovers in a scrappy defensive effort, but Neumann (14-8, 6-5 Atlantic East) used a strong first half to build a lead it would not relinquish and avenged a loss to the Cannoneers from two weeks prior.
After the Cannoneers crept out to an 8-7 lead, the Knights responded with a 13-0 run and extended to a 38-21 lead at halftime on the strength of a 54 percent shooting effort. The Cannoneers struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the opening period against a tough Neumann defense.
Pratt showed resilience in the second half and Thomas heated up from long range, knocking down all three of his three-pointers in the period to provide an early offensive spark, but the Cannoneers couldn't overcome the halftime deficit
Thomas Prendergast (Bayport, N.Y.) recorded his second double-double of the season finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and a team-high three steals to go along with two blocks. Thomas Graetz (Sydney, Australia) scored seven points, while Elijah Fermaint (Orlando, Fla.) added six points and three assists.
Neumann was powered by a dominant performance from Donte Dupriest, who finished with a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds. Jayson Love was hot from outside, scoring 19 points on five three-pointers. Bryan Etienne nearly had a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Pratt travels to first-place Marymount University for on Saturday, Feb. 14 for a conference tilt in Arlington, Va. scheduled for 3 p.m.
