Eastern University Men's Basketball scuffled to a 74-71 loss at Valley Forge Christian. Jason Reels led the way for the Eagles with 21 points.

The first half saw the Eagles struggle at the defensive end, as the Patriots ran out to a 46-39 advantage at the break. The hosts actually forged a thirteen point advantage with 2:44 to play in the half before the Eagles went on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to four points with four seconds to play. Senior forward Joe Manzo scored five straight points in the run. Jason Reels capped the run with an inside basket that looked as though it would close out the half. Patriot guard James Fulton nailed a 35 foot bank-shot as time expired to push the Patriot lead back to seven.

Coach Nadelhoffer said of the first half, "Until the last two minutes, we couldn't guard anyone. They made shots, but we did not show the effort and execution that we need to at the defensive end."

Defensive adjustments at the break did not work initially as the hosts scored eight quick points to push their lead to 54-43 with just under nineteen minutes to play. Matt Flanagan and Daryl Leegwater then sparked the Eagles on a 12-0 run to give the visitors their first lead since the first minute of the game at 55-54. Flanagan stepped inside the arc for the night. He hit for fifteen points, but attempted just a single three pointer. Leegwater was a force around the basket and finished the evening with 11 points.

The Eagles had several opportunities to expand the lead, as their defense earned them several possessions up one, but they were unable to get shots fell and soon saw their one point lead disappear. The scoring slowed dramatically as both teams tightened up at the defensive end on the floor.

Matt Malloy cut the Valley Forge lead to 69-68 on a fast break bucket following a Chris Myers steal with two and a half minutes to play. Mike Johnson then corralled a huge defensive rebound and earned the Eagles a chance to take the lead with two minutes to play. Johnson then wound up converting a three-pointer on a Malloy kick out. Johnson, who spent much of the night running the point for the Eagles, finished with nine points, five rebounds, four steals, and four assists.

Nathan Stoner, who finished with 18 points for the Patriots, answered Johnson three with one of his own to put the Patriots up 72-71. The Eagles were unable to convert another possession into points, and Stoner hit two late free throws for the final margin.

The Eagles return to action Saturday afternoon in a must-win game against Marywood University for Senior Day. That game is scheduled for 3:00 pm and can be heard live through the PAC website.

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