From the moment they came out to practice, the entire session was dedicated to defensive intensity. Coach Nadelhoffer's charges learned their lessons well as they forced 31 turnovers and exploded for 60 second-half points on the way to a 106-66 win over Centenary College. Thirteen different Eastern players scored in the win.
Nadelhoffer said of the meeting, which came on the heels of a four game losing streak. "We had to take the time to really find out about ourselves. The guys challenged each other in a very direct and positive way. Our energy and defensive intensity today was way better than it has been since we got back from Hawaii."
The visitors took their only lead of the game on a long three pointer from Kyle Boone in the first minute of the game. The Eagles responded with tough defense and balanced scoring to push to a 17-5 lead. They claimed their biggest lead of the half with just under nine minutes to play in the half when Mike Johnson ripped down a defensive rebound and pushed the ball all the way to the rim to lift the Eagles to a 36-16 lead.
Centenary scrapped back into the game behind 14 first half points from Robert Urie to close the gap to 44-38 with just under two minutes to play. Matt Flanagan led the Eagles at the break with a very efficient 10 points. Ten different Eastern players had scored by the break and the Eastern team had 12 assists on their 19 baskets. Nadelhoffer said of the team's first half, "Other than Flanagan, we kind of struggled from the field, but we attacked the offensive glass, and I felt like we were getting after it defensively.
Out of the break, the Eagles stormed to a 38-13 run. David Volpe keyed the run with one of his six steals on the afternoon and left a beautiful no look pass to a trailing Mike Johnson for a thunderous dunk. The Eagles shot 58% for the second half and attempted just two three pointers.
Nadelhoffer said of the win, "I'm very pleased with the team effort today. I believe that the guys really enjoyed playing today, and we looked like we want to look on the floor. Our big key is repeating the intensity and continuing to play this kind of team basketball. David [Volpe] was outstanding at the defensive end, and I think we really played well off that consistent ball pressure."
Daryl Leegwater led the Eagles with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Flanagan chipped in with 15 points on just eight shots. Johnson scored 12 and added eight rebounds and six assists, and Danny Miller pitched in with 10.
Urie paced the Cyclones with 18. The Eagles (4-7 1-2) return to action at home Tuesday night at 8:00 in an important PAC game against Misericordia University. That game can be heard live through the PAC website.
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