Aston, Pa. -- Marywood University suffered a heartbreaking 77-76 loss to Neumann University Saturday to open the Atlantic East Conference men's basketball season.

The Pacers led by as many as 17 points before the Knights (10-4, 1-0 AEC) crawled back in the second half. 

With the game tied, the Knights and Pacers played 2:09 of scoreless action. Marywood had a chance for the go-ahead points and a missed layup and 3-pointer did not fall through in the closing 30 seconds. 

Neumann's TJ Lewis collected a defensive rebound off of a 3-point attempt and heaved the ball down court for a breakaway chance. Bryan Etienne was fouled in the paint and made his first free throw with 1.3 seconds remaining. 

Brendan Franko scored a career-high 30 points. He was 11 for 14 from the field. He surpassed his previous all-time best of 24 points. 

Mason Mendygral was the only other Pacer in double figures with 13 points. Mendygral was 5 of 9. 

Corey Perkins helped the Pacers off the glass with nine rebounds. 

Marywood was hampered by two players fouling out midway through the second half. 

Neumann's Donte Dupriest had a double-double of 24 points and 16 rebounds. Mike Smith III totaled 15 points. Both Lewis and Etienne provided 12 points. 

The Knights outrebounded the Pacers by a 48-30 margin. It resulted in a 19-9 margin in second-chance points. 

Marywood (8-6, 0-1 AEC) welcomes Gwynedd Mercy University on Wednesday at 7 p.m.