GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- The Gwynedd Mercy University Women's Basketball team fell to Neumann University, 73-64, in the Colonial States Athletic Conference Semifinals Wednesday evening at The Griffin Complex.

Susan Bossler highlighted the second-seeded Griffins with a 17-point and 12-rebound performance, both season highs, as the junior was 7-of-8 from the field. Bianca Adams (14), Julianna Hoisington (11) and Chyanne Fine (10) rounded out the double-digit scorers as GMercyU had trouble rebounding from a second quarter that saw them struggle.

An old fashioned three point play from Fine midway through the first quarter would put the Griffins ahead, 7-5, in the early portion of the contest. Neumann would retake the lead but another bucket from Fine and layups from Roseman and Bossler put GMercyU ahead (15-12) after the first ten minutes of action.

After a Adams layup at the 7:46 mark to stretch their lead to three (18-15), Neumann would answer with a 14-0 run over the next seven minutes and forty one seconds to hold a 29-18 edge with just over four minutes remaining. A jumper from Hoisington would end the run but the Knights would close out the quarter with a five point-spurt to outscore Gwynedd 24-7 in the stanza, and take a 36-22 lead into the halftime break.

Despite trailing to start the third quarter the Griffins would tried to fight their way back in it. They would cut the Neumann lead to single digits (40-32) on an Alison Szyszko layup at the 5:22 mark and later a a 7-0 run capped by a Hoisington triple to cut the lead to two (43-41) with just over three minutes to go helped Gwynedd to gain momentum. The Griffins would then tie the contest twice on layups from Adams and Bossler but the Knights would get a bucket just before the period expired to retake a two point lead, 49-47, heading into the final frame.

The visitors were able to stretch their lead back up the eight (57-49) but the Griffins showing fight would cut back into the deficit with another big three pointer from Hoisington to cut the lead to 62-60 with 2:49 remaining. Neumann pushed the lead back to seven, but Adams cut the lead to four (68-64) with thirty six seconds remaining with her three from the top of the arc.

The Knights would hold the Griffins scoreless in the closing moments and connect on a field goal and trifecta of free throws for the 73-64 victory.

GMercyU shot (41.3%) from the field but were outrebounded by Neumann, 48-39. The Knights shot (37.3%) while making 12-of-17 from the free throw line.

Nafisa Saunders was the thorn in the Griffins' side, netting a game-high 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting. Shauntel Williams added 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

The Griffins wrap up the season at 17-9 and say good bye to their four seniors: Adams, Hoisington, Szyszko, and Larissa Leyes. The foursome accumulated a 72-36 record and a conference championship in 2016-17.