The host Valiants used a 13-4 run over a two minute stretch late in the game to pull away to a 63-57 and advance to Saturday's Freedom Conference Championship game Saturday at DeSales. Tyrik Tucker led the way for the Eagles with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Neither team was able to get much of an attack going early as the two sides combined for just 27 points in the opening 15 minutes of the game. Tucker scored eight points in that opening stretch before picking up his second foul with the Eagles up 14-11. Martin Soaries answered an Angelo LaRoche jumper with a three-pointer and the game began to pick up some offensive rhythm. Senior Ty Coleman scored an inside basket and a three-pointer in an 8-2 run to help Eastern to a 28-20 advantage at the break.
The Valiants took advantage of four offensive foul calls in the first seven minutes of the second half and put together a 17-4 run to forge a 37-32 lead with twelve minutes remaining in the game.
The young Eastern squad took that blow and answered back with an 11-2 run over a four minute stretch to retake the lead. Jason Reels scored four points in the run, and Soaries buried his second three-pointer to give the visitors a 43-39 advantage with just under eight minutes left.
Manhattanville battled back and looked prepared to take the lead on an open lay-up with six and a half minutes to play, but Soaries flew in from the weak side to block the shot. Tucker finished a three point play on the ensuing possession to give the Eagles a four point edge again. Wesley Wicks scored a lay up, and Manhatttanville freshman Trevoy Pointer hit a three pointer from the corner to give the hosts a 47-46 lead with 3:54 on the clock. Soaries muscled up a tough 10-footer to answer, but Pointer buried another three from nearly an identical spot off a double screen to put Manhattanville up for good.
Eastern Head Coach Matt Nadelhoffer commented on the game and the year saying, "We battled tonight under some really tough circumstances. This is a tough place to play, and the guys answered a couple runs that could have put us away. We ran out of time at the end of the game. Manhattanville is a tough physical team. We will grow from this." He continued saying, "We will miss Ty Coleman, and I want to say again how much we appreciate his contribution to our program. Our young guys have learned a lot from him, and his impact will last after he graduates. I am very proud of our guys, and very thankful to all the people from the University who have supported us all year."
Soaries finished with thirteen points, Jason Reels added eight and Carlos Pujols added eight. LaRoche and Pointer each had 15 to lead the Valiants.
Eastern's 17-9 finish is the best season record since Eastern moved to Division III.
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