Eastern Men's basketball earned a trip to the PAC Semifinals with w 77-67 win over Neumann College. The Eagles improve to 16-10 on the year, and will travel to Alvernia on Tuesday Night.
 

The Eagles jumped out to a 9-3 advantage early as four different players scored baskets, but the Knights responded with back to back three pointers from Ronnie Fields and Dehran Patrick. Five of Neumann's seven field goals in the first half came from behind the the arc, and the Eagles took advantage of the Knights 26% shooting to fore a 33-23 lead at the break. Senior guard Lenny DiMaria, playing in his last home game as an Eagle, led Eastern into the break with 8 points. Kevin Raab came off the bench for the Eagles to finish three inside buckets and a free throw in the last seven minutes.

The hosts only shot three free throws in the first half, but hit four of six from behind the arc to help forge the lead. David Volpe, who hit a pair of three pointers in the opening half, banked home a half court shot just after time expired, and the Eastern lead stuck at ten. Ronnie Fields led the Knights at the break with seven.

The second half opened with the visitors swarming on defense, forcing turnovers, and quickly mounting an 11-0 run to take the lead at 34-33. Fields started the run with a lay up and finished it just over three minutes later on a long three pointer on a kick from Nasheed Linton. On the ensuing possession, Malloy was fouled in the act of shooting and missed his first free throw but stopped the Neumann run with his second.

After a Leon Dales basket, Eastern junior Mike Johnson was fouled on a power move inside. Johnson hit the pair to keep the game tied. After Dehran Patrick made his second three of the game to give the Knights a 39-38 lead, Malloy hit a 15 footer to take the lead back. Fields then answered with his third three-pointer to lift the Knights back to a 42-40 advantage. Malloy, who set a career high with 16 rebounds, made both shots on a one-and-one situation to tie the game with eleven and a half minutes left to start an 8-0 run that would give the hosts the lead for good.

First year forward Jason Reels, who started for the injured Ty Coleman, put the Eagles in front on a nice pass from Volpe. After building the lead to eight, the Eagles took the final punch from the Knights as Michael Hitchens scored five straight to cut the deficit to 58-57 with five minutes to play. After empty possessions for both sides, the Eagle broke out in transition, and Volpe pushed the ball deep in the lane before kicking it to Malloy at the arc. A 45% shooter from behind the arc on the year, Malloy did not hesitate and drained his only three-point attempt of the game. Malloy said of the shot. "I saw David get into the gut and when my man sagged in to help I just got my feet set and my hands ready and David put it right there. I knew it was in as soon as it left my hands."

Up four with four minutes to play, the Eagles still had work to do. Baskets from Johnson and Reels pushed the Eagles to a 65-58 lead, and the Eastern players made 12 of 14 free throws in the final two minutes to earn another shot at Alvernia. Coach Nadelhoffer was pleased with his charges following the game saying, "Matt was enormous for us today. He and Johnson (12 rebounds) took care of the glass, and it was good to see the guys step up and hit free throws. I thought Jason (Reels) played well in his first playoff game. We know that he can be this effective, and know that he will keep getting better."

Reels finished the game with 14 points and 7 rebounds, and was joined in double figures by DiMaria with 15 and Volpe with 10. Johnson picked up five assists and three blocked shots to go with his nine points and 12 rebounds. Fields led the Knights with 20 points. He was joined in double figures for the game by Hitchens with 14, and Fritz and Patrick with ten each. Neumann shot 35% for the game and hit just 8 of 19 foul shots int he second half. Eastern shot 43% for the game, but made 28 of 31 foul shots to secure the win.

The Eagles travel to Alvernia to take on the defending PAC Champion Crusaders at 7:00 Tuesday night.