ALLENTOWN, Pa. –  Neumann University used a strong rebounding advantage and clutch second-half free throw shooting to defeat Shenandoah University 63-58 Saturday in the 2011 Scotty Wood women's basketball Tournament consolation game at Muhlenberg College.

Shenandoah (1-2) scored 10 of the game's first 16 points against the Knights (1-2) and eventually pushed the advantage to as much as 13 points in the first half.

SU continued to lead by nine points with 17:05 remaining, but could only watch as the Knights fought back with a 9-0 run over the next 3:46.

After NU tied it at 34-34 with 13:19 left, the two teams were tied at 36, 39, 41, 43 and 47 before the Knights took their first lead of the contest.

The Hornets did not fold their tents, coming back to tie it at 51-51 on a Holly Chittenden layup with 2:33 remaining, but Neumann had another answer.

Bethany Humenik, who led all players with 21 points, canned a pair of free throws on the next trip down the floor and the Knights held the lead for the remainder of the contest.

Neumann, which shot an anemic 9 for 44 (20.5 percent) in the opening 20 minutes, finished the first half on an 11-5 run to trail 28-21 heading into the locker room.

The Knights improved to 43.8 percent shooting in the second (14 of 32), and this, combined with a 55-35 advantage on the glass translated to 24 more shots for the victors.

NU made six of its final seven free throw attempts and had 28 offensive rebounds that led to 16 second-chance points to assist in the comeback victory.

Sophomore Katherine Hooker paced SU with a career-high 12 points while Mandy Johnston added 10.

Nicole Gilbertson had nine boards.

Shenandoah opens up its home slate on Tuesday at 5:30 in a non-league game against Mary Washington. The game is part of a doubleheader with the men, who take on future ODAC rival Washington & Lee.

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