Lancaster, Pa. (11/19/11) – The Kean University men's basketball team fell in the final day of the Franklin & Marshall/Rotary Tip-Off Tournament to Neumann University by the final of 61-51.

The first half can be summed up by two long runs, one for the Cougars (1-2) and another for the Knights (2-1).  It was Kean who responded from a quick 3-0 deficit by rattling off 15 straight points for the 15-3 advantage over the course of the next nine minutes.  Five different players scored in the spurt.  But Neumann responded with a run of their own, 16 consecutive points to regain the lead, 19-15 with just under five minutes to go in the first half.  Four different Knights recorded treys in the run.  The teams then traded baskets, with Neumann heading into the break with a 27-23 lead.

Neumann slowly chipped away and after knotting the game at 41-all, scored six points over the next two minutes to give themselves a small cushion that they were able to hold through the conclusion of the game. 

Sophomore Michael Burton led the Cougars with 11 points and eight rebounds while senior Leigh Keenan added eight points.  Sophomore Kenny Pace and Kyle Latorre each added seven.

Kean will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to St. Mary's College of Maryland.