The host Cavaliers got 20 second-half points from senior Randy Reid to earn their way into the playoffs with a 66-63 win. The Eagles still control their own playoff destiny, but now, in all likelihood, they must win at Immaculata on Thursday night.
Eastern built a five point lead with three and a half minutes to go in the first half, but a pair of Cabrini three point baskets sandwiched around a missed front end of a one and one by the Eagles saw the Cavaliers reverse the momentum of the game. The two teams entered the locker room tied at 29 in a game that saw far too many unproductive trips up the floor.
Through the first half, the Eastern interior defense had been strong as Mike Johnson Matt Flanagan and Daryl Leegwater combined for five blocked shots, and Reid struggled to find his rhythm in the game. Brent Williams was a spark off the bench for the Eagles with eight first half points, but the Eagles shot just 39% and gave the ball away ten times. Glenn Washington led the Cavaliers at the break with nine points.
The Cavaliers built a six point lead to start the second half, and they held the lead until Williams made it 47-46 Eastern with just less than nine minutes to play. Reid, who finished with a game-high 22 points, answered with an inside basket at the other end.
A David Volpe three-pointer with six minutes remaining put the Eagles up 53-50, and it seemed that the Eagles might seize control of the game. The two teams started to trade baskets, and when the Eagles missed an opportunity, made a pair of free throws to put the Cavs up one. Matt Flanagan earned three shots on the next trip down the floor, but the Eastern sharp-shooter missed his first two efforts and the score stayed tied at 56 with four and a half to play.
A lightning quick 8-0 run from the Cavaliers put the hosts up 64-56 with just under three to play. The Eagles scrapped back as Matt Malloy made five straight free throws to cut the deficit to 64-61 with a minute and a half to play. A solid defensive set and a defensive rebound from Johnson gave the Eagles another chance to cut into the lead. Johnson found Volpe underneath with a smaller defender on him and Volpe knocked in the short shot to close the gap to one with :43 on the clock.
After the Cavaliers split a pair at the line, the Eagles missed a chance to take the lead at the other end when a Matt Flanagan three rimmed out. The Eagles had yet another chance to win the game or tie when the Cavaliers missed a pair of free throws at the other end of the floor, but the Eagles were unable to get a shot off and had to foul after a turnover.
The Eagles (11-13, 8-7) will watch the Neumann-Centenary game tomorrow night with interest. If the Cyclones win at home against Neumann, the Eagles will be in the playoffs regardless. A Neumann win would put the Knights at 8-8 and would force the Eagles to beat Immaculata for a shot at the PAC Championship.
Washington and Charles Bush joined Reid in double-figures for the Cavaliers with 19 and 12 points respectively. Williams was the only Eastern player in double-figures with 15. The Eagles shot just 41% from the floor and 67% from the foul line in the loss. The Cavaliers shot 52 % from the floor in the second half.
Thursday Night's game at Immaculata is the second game of a doubleheader with the women. Game time is scheduled for 8:00 pm.
