BEVERLY, Mass. – The Neumann University Men's Basketball team rose to the challenge in the first round of the NCAA Division III National Tournament but ultimately fell in a 96-82 decision against one-loss Endicott College.  
 
Neumann got out to a 7-2 lead over the first 3:12 of the game but Endicott got even and nine apiece with 14:04 left in the first half. The Gulls put up the next 10 points over the next three minutes to surge ahead. The Knights' deficit went up to 11 but when trailing 25-16 with 8:54 remaining, they would start to claw back as they went on a quick six point run to get within three. Over the last six minutes, Endicott would again assert themselves as they went on an 18-8 run to lead by 12 with 14 seconds left until the intermission. On the next possession, DJ Earl sunk a step-back three-pointer at the buzzer to give Neumann some jump heading into the locker room, although they were down 43-34.
 
The Gulls quickly moved to a 14-point lead, 1:36 into the second. Again, the Knights traded buckets and runs with their opponents, going on an 8-1 run to get within seven. Over the next 6:26, Endicott went off on a 22-9 run to, gliding to a 20-point lead with just over 10 minutes left. Neumann wouldn't go away quietly as they scored 15 of the next 22 points and with 5:25 left, they were down by just 12 at 82-70. Unfortunately for the Knights, they very next offensive set for the Gulls would be a completed four-point play, and they would go on to the win.
 
Donte Dupriest led the Knights with 29 points and seven rebounds. Earl had 23 points and Jayson Love had 17. Jarell Keel had a strong defensive game with four steals
 
The Atlantic East champion Neumann University Knights finish an impressive 2025-2026 season with a record of 19-10 and will look to next season and a new endeavor, in a new conference.